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Feature Item:
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’
Friday, 03 June 2011
Duro Ugbana
By By Sam Masters
A PARKING warden who was temporarily blinded when he tackled a burglary suspect is the first nomination in the South London Press Our Heroes awards.
Wandsworth council warden Duro Ugbana was patrolling St John’s Road, Battersea, when he saw cops struggling to detain a burglary suspect.
One officer had his finger broken during the arrest.
Mr Ugbana leapt to the rescue and ran towards the crowd.
He grabbed the man around the waist and lifted him off his feet, stopping him escaping from cops.
Officers fired CS gas at the suspect, which temporarily blinded the council parking warden.
Mr Ugbana said: “I just ran in. I didn’t think twice.
“I could see one of the officers trying to keep hold of him but the man was wriggling and struggling – it looked like he was going to get away.
“I ran over and grabbed him by the waist and lifted him up like a sumo wrestler.
“I did get some CS spray in my face and it took 20 minutes to get my sight back.
“It was pretty painful.”
Despite hurting his back in the incident, Mr Ugbana was back at work as an attendant for the town hall’s parking contractor Mouchel the next day.
He said: “I’m not a hero. I just believe if you can help in a situation, you should help. That’s just the way I was brought up.”
Wandsworth council leader Councillor Ravi Govindia said: “The whole community owes Duro a great debt of gratitude for his courage and selflessness.
“It’s a terribly daunting prospect to physically intervene, many of us would shrink from doing so, but he showed his dedication as a public servant.
“Traffic wardens often get a bad press, but people should bear in mind they perform a valuable service.”
The South London Press Our Heroes Awards is sponsored by Shell and was launched on Friday.
Do you know a hero?
Do you know someone who helps make South London a better place? Nominate your hero using the form below or visit out website www.southlondon-today.co.uk
Winners, who will pick up cash prizes, will be announced at a ceremony on November 15.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
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