Courageous young pals scoop bravery award

Ben Ashworth and Charlotte McIntyre, from Burnley, were among the hundreds of nominees at the 15th 2BR Local Hero Awards.

A glittering red carpet night that recognises acts of bravery, courage and also people who do good in their community, the event was held at Burnley Mechanics Theatre.

Ben (14) and Charlotte, who is 24, were named as the winners of the bravery award after they rescued two children and their grandmother who were being swept out to sea.

The drama happened in August when Ben, a student at Shuttleworth College, Padiham, and Charlotte who has three children, aged six, four and three, were enjoying a day with family and friends at the Blackpool Air Show.

Realising the trio were in trouble, Ben of Leyland Road, dived in to save the grandmother, who was in her 60s. A strong swimmer, he dived under the water to reach the woman who was floating on her back.

Alerted to the drama Charlotte, who lives on the Barclay Hills estate, jumped into the water and guided the two children, who were crying and choking, back to the safety of the steps.

The children had been playing on the steps leading down to the sea when the waves swept them in and their grandmother, who was in her 60s, jumped in to save them and all three got into difficulty.

The award winning duo were joined at the awards night at Burnley Mechanics Theatre by Ben’s mum, Sarah Oxborough and Charlotte’s partner.

Sarah said: “I am so proud of Ben, he doesn’t realise what he has done. He is wonderful, caring lad but he can’t understand what all the fuss is about because he just did what came naturally.

“Both Ben and Charlotte deserve this award for their courage in saving the lives of a family.”