Docks rescue heroes in Mariners award honour

Andrew Clark (far left) Cyril Clark (centre) and Cyril Clark Jr (far right) with their certificates from Liverpool's Shipwrecked Mariners' Association.

The awards were presented last week to ex-fishing skipper/owner Cyril Clark, 60, of Thornton, and sons Cyril Jr and Andrew, who leapt into action to rescue people from a sinking amphibious vehicle in Liverpool’s dock.

The drama occured back on 15 June 15 when the family was visiting the city’s famous Albert Dock aboard their narrow boat, Predator 3.

While aboard they saw a yellow duck marine amphibious vehicle sinking and Cyril took the boat across to help.

Cyril Jnr, a 34 year old accountant, jumped from the bow of the narrow boat after spotting strugglers in the water. He stayed in the water and helped get 17 people, most without lifejackets, into the narrow boat.

Andrew, a 25-year-old Mate in the Royal Navy, pulled them into the boat with Cyril. The passengers were then taken to hospital for checks.

A bronze medal and parchment was presented to Cyril Jnr and parchments to Cyril Snr and Andrew at Liverpool Town Hall on behalf of Liverpool Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. Jackie Clark, Cyril’s wife and mother of Cyril Jr and Andrew, said: “I am so proud of them. If they had not reacted it could have had a very tragic outcome.”