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‘Everyone-knew-that-a-call-to-Plamen-for-help-would-not-be-ignored

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Byline: A year on from Plamen Petkov’s tragic death on a West Sussex beach, his mother Antoaneta Petkova has spoken movingly of her son’s bravery which saved the life of a young girl.
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On 26 May 2012 Plamen leapt into the water at West Wittering beach to go to the aid of a five-year-old being swept out to sea. Tragically he was dragged under by strong currents and despite receiving CPR for 40 minutes he did not survive.

Plamen has since been honoured with several posthumous awards,* including the highest civilian bravery award for Bulgarian nationals. His family have also set up a commemorative Forever by the Sea fund to support the RNLI’s work in making Britain’s beaches safer, raising over £5,000 to date.

Speaking after the private unveiling of a commemorative bench and plaque at West Wittering, Mrs Petkova said:

‘At my son’s inquest the coroner made the following statement: “Without any thought for his own safety Plamen Petkov was the first in the water. He managed to save the girl but by this time he was in grave difficulties and it is to his eternal credit that he was able to save a girl adrift in a rubber ring.”

‘The coroner’s comment describes an act that, although it had such painful consequences for me, I would have expected from Plamen. My son always showed concern for others and everyone knew that a call to him for help would not be ignored. We all valued his friendship, appreciated his kindness and have benefited from his generosity.

‘I remember the day he was born as one of the happiest in my life and it was a pleasure to see him grow up to be the man we all admired and came to rely on.

‘His death has been devastating but it was not a surprise to find out that the accident happened because he didn’t hesitate to answer a cry for help. I am now left feeling drained and sad about my loss but I am also proud of what my son did and relieved that he did not give up his life in vain but was able to help save a young life.’

Gemma Nightingale, RNLI Tribute Funds Coordinator, said: ‘Plamen’s family established the Forever by the Sea fund with the aim of assisting the RNLI in our efforts to make Britain’s beaches safer. We run beach safety awareness work such as Beach to City and Hit the Surf, programmes which rely on voluntary donations. In the local area we have also established new RNLI lifeguard patrols in Littlehampton and Portsmouth this season. To put the fund’s importance into context, £5,000 is enough to train 10 lifeguards for the year.’

Ends

 

Notes to editors

• Mrs Petkova will not be available to provide further comment or interview at this time.
• *To date Plamen has received the following awards and recognitions posthumously:
– Bulgarian President and Government – Medal for Bravery
– Bulgarian Minister for Defence – Order of St George
– Bulgarian Samaritans – Posthumous – Good Samaritans Award for 2012
– Ambulance Service Institute – Posthumous – Public Spirited Award 2012
– Royal Humane Society – 2012 – In Memoriam Testimonial
– Carnegie Hero Fund Trust – Plamen’s name will be inscribed in the Trust’s Roll of Honour
• Those wishing to leave a tribute, light a virtual candle or donate in Plamen’s memory can visit his fund at http://rnli.tributefunds.com/fund/Plamen+Petkov/showFund

 

RNLI media contacts

• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Byline: A year on from Plamen Petkov’s tragic death on a West Sussex beach, his mother Antoaneta Petkova has spoken movingly of her son’s bravery which saved the life of a young girl.
Page Content:

On 26 May 2012 Plamen leapt into the water at West Wittering beach to go to the aid of a five-year-old being swept out to sea. Tragically he was dragged under by strong currents and despite receiving CPR for 40 minutes he did not survive.

Plamen has since been honoured with several posthumous awards,* including the highest civilian bravery award for Bulgarian nationals. His family have also set up a commemorative Forever by the Sea fund to support the RNLI’s work in making Britain’s beaches safer, raising over £5,000 to date.

Speaking after the private unveiling of a commemorative bench and plaque at West Wittering, Mrs Petkova said:

‘At my son's inquest the coroner made the following statement: “Without any thought for his own safety Plamen Petkov was the first in the water. He managed to save the girl but by this time he was in grave difficulties and it is to his eternal credit that he was able to save a girl adrift in a rubber ring.”

‘The coroner's comment describes an act that, although it had such painful consequences for me, I would have expected from Plamen. My son always showed concern for others and everyone knew that a call to him for help would not be ignored. We all valued his friendship, appreciated his kindness and have benefited from his generosity.

‘I remember the day he was born as one of the happiest in my life and it was a pleasure to see him grow up to be the man we all admired and came to rely on.

‘His death has been devastating but it was not a surprise to find out that the accident happened because he didn't hesitate to answer a cry for help. I am now left feeling drained and sad about my loss but I am also proud of what my son did and relieved that he did not give up his life in vain but was able to help save a young life.’

Gemma Nightingale, RNLI Tribute Funds Coordinator, said: ‘Plamen’s family established the Forever by the Sea fund with the aim of assisting the RNLI in our efforts to make Britain’s beaches safer. We run beach safety awareness work such as Beach to City and Hit the Surf, programmes which rely on voluntary donations. In the local area we have also established new RNLI lifeguard patrols in Littlehampton and Portsmouth this season. To put the fund’s importance into context, £5,000 is enough to train 10 lifeguards for the year.’

Ends

 

Notes to editors

• Mrs Petkova will not be available to provide further comment or interview at this time.
• *To date Plamen has received the following awards and recognitions posthumously:
- Bulgarian President and Government – Medal for Bravery
- Bulgarian Minister for Defence - Order of St George
- Bulgarian Samaritans – Posthumous - Good Samaritans Award for 2012
- Ambulance Service Institute – Posthumous - Public Spirited Award 2012
- Royal Humane Society – 2012 – In Memoriam Testimonial
- Carnegie Hero Fund Trust – Plamen's name will be inscribed in the Trust's Roll of Honour
• Those wishing to leave a tribute, light a virtual candle or donate in Plamen’s memory can visit his fund at http://rnli.tributefunds.com/fund/Plamen+Petkov/showFund

 

RNLI media contacts

• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789