Bravery nomination for sergeant who helped trekkers in Nepal

A SOUTH Yorkshire Police officer credited with helping a number of trekkers to safety from blizzards and avalanches in Nepal has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

Sgt Paul Sherridan was in Nepal on a trekking holiday with a friend and had already completed 10 days of an 18-day trek before the weather took a drastic and tragic turn for the worse.

Speaking about his traumatic ordeal, Sgt Sherridan (pictured) said: “On the Wednesday morning the weather had deteriorated significantly compared to the previous days and as we started the ascent up the pass (Thorung La Pass), we came across people already staggering and struggling in the snow.

“We continued with our guide but by the time we reached the top of the pass, which was about 17,500 feet, it was a complete white out; the sky was as white and grey as the ground and the wind was so ferocious, you could neither see or hear anything.”

Sgt Sherridan, 49, a serving police officer for almost 27 years, said he was able to use some of his mountain leadership and management skills gained while working for the force, to take control of the situation with one of the Nepalese guide. They  helped a number of other trekkers who had also become stranded at the top of the mountain.

He added: “The snow was that deep at one point I thought I’d stopped breathing. My skills working as police officer in leading people to safety I’d only ever put to use in summertime weather, not treacherous winter conditions.

“After a couple of hours the wind eventually began to ease and on turning to look behind me there were at least 100 people following and coming down the mountain, not just the three or four there had been initially.”

The event happened on Wednesday, 15 October 2014.

Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “Paul has exemplified what being a police officer and leadership in its true sense.

“Throughout, faced with devastating circumstances, he used his experience as a police officer to bring hundreds of people to safety. We’re very proud.”

The National Police Bravery Awards, which pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the police service, will take place on 27 October this year.