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| Police use own bodies to save man | Police use own bodies to save man |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| Two firearms officers are in hospital after using their own bodies to smother flames engulfing a knife-wielding man who had set himself alight. | |
| A spokesman for Surrey Police said two unarmed officers were sent to a home in Cranleigh after reports of a man threatening to attack fellow residents. | |
| The man then threatened to stab the officers before running into woodland with a can of petrol and a lighter. | The man then threatened to stab the officers before running into woodland with a can of petrol and a lighter. |
| The firearms unit was called but he set himself ablaze as they approached. | The firearms unit was called but he set himself ablaze as they approached. |
| Armed officers and dog units, supported by the police helicopter, had searched the area after the man had run off and found him at 2305 BST on Wednesday at the back of his house. | Armed officers and dog units, supported by the police helicopter, had searched the area after the man had run off and found him at 2305 BST on Wednesday at the back of his house. |
| Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries Chief Inspector Chris Shead | Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries Chief Inspector Chris Shead |
| Firearms officers ordered the 23-year-old man, who was doused in petrol, to put down the knife and a lighter he was holding, but he set himself alight and started approaching the officers, the spokesman said. | Firearms officers ordered the 23-year-old man, who was doused in petrol, to put down the knife and a lighter he was holding, but he set himself alight and started approaching the officers, the spokesman said. |
| Officers discharged a baton round to stun him before approaching the man and smothering the flames. | Officers discharged a baton round to stun him before approaching the man and smothering the flames. |
| The 23 year old, who had not been named, was taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for treatment for burns injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening, the spokesman said. | The 23 year old, who had not been named, was taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for treatment for burns injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening, the spokesman said. |
| The two firearms officers, who smothered the flames with their hands and bodies, were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns to their hands. They are expected to be discharged later on Thursday. | The two firearms officers, who smothered the flames with their hands and bodies, were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns to their hands. They are expected to be discharged later on Thursday. |
| Chief Inspector Chris Shead said: "This man posed a significant threat to himself, other members of the public and police officers. | Chief Inspector Chris Shead said: "This man posed a significant threat to himself, other members of the public and police officers. |
| "By taking decisive action and discharging a baton round, the firearms officers were able to subdue him - stopping him from further harming himself or other people and allowing officers to quickly administer first aid. | "By taking decisive action and discharging a baton round, the firearms officers were able to subdue him - stopping him from further harming himself or other people and allowing officers to quickly administer first aid. |
| "Officers put themselves at significant risk to stop the fire spreading, putting out the man with their own bodies. Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries." | "Officers put themselves at significant risk to stop the fire spreading, putting out the man with their own bodies. Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries." |
| A investigation into the incident is under way, and the force is also conducting a seperate review into its use of firearms during the incident. | A investigation into the incident is under way, and the force is also conducting a seperate review into its use of firearms during the incident. |
| No arrests have been made. | No arrests have been made. |