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Cash van raid 'hero' has surgery Robbery 'hero' wakes from surgery
(about 11 hours later)
A man hailed by police as a hero after he was shot in the chest while trying to stop robbers attacking a security guard has undergone surgery. A commuter hailed by police as a hero after he was shot when trying to stop robbers attacking a security guard has regained consciousness after surgery.
Adam Mapleson, 24, intervened as the guard and her colleague were held at gunpoint in Rayleigh, Essex. Adam Mapleson, 24, intervened as the security guard and her colleague were held at gunpoint in Rayleigh, Essex.
Mr Mapleson is still seriously ill after being injured by the robbers, who mugged the guards as they loaded a cash machine on Friday morning. Mr Mapleson is in a high dependency unit at Southend Hospital after being shot in the chest by the robbers.
The robbers are believed to have got away with tens of thousands of pounds. A British Transport Police spokeswoman said his condition had improved after an operation on Friday evening.
However, security experts have said that if they try to force open the box the money is in, the notes will become soaked in a red indelible dye, rendering them useless. Bravery praised
He was heroic, there is no doubt about it Det Supt Michael Field, of the British Transport Police "Adam is in a comfortable and slightly improved condition," she said. "He has regained consciousness overnight but remains in the high dependency unit at Southend Hospital."
The raiders escaped in a Ford Escort, after the raid. It was later found abandoned in Eastcheap, less than a mile away. The guard and her male colleague were attacked as they loaded money into a cash machine at Rayleigh station, police said.
Robbers are thought to have escaped with a box containing tens of thousands of pounds.
However, security experts have said if they try to force open the strong box, the notes will become soaked in a red indelible dye, rendering them useless.
Det Supt Michael Field, leading the investigation, praised the bravery of Mr Mapleson.
"He was heroic, there is no doubt about it," said Mr Field.
He was heroic, there is no doubt about it Det Supt Michael Field, British Transport Police
"He went to the aid of a female guard who was being robbed. He put his life on the line."
The raiders escaped in a Ford Escort after the raid. It was later found abandoned in Eastcheap, less than a mile away.
It is believed they may have got into another vehicle after dumping the white Escort.It is believed they may have got into another vehicle after dumping the white Escort.
Parts of the raid were caught on CCTV, which detectives hope will help them identify the raiders.Parts of the raid were caught on CCTV, which detectives hope will help them identify the raiders.
Det Supt Michael Field, of the British Transport Police, said Mr Mapleson had put himself at great risk.
"He was heroic, there is no doubt about it," he said.
"He went to the aid of a female guard who was being robbed. He put his life on the line."
Two shotsTwo shots
The guards, who performed first aid on the man who helped them, were uninjured in the raid but left badly shaken.The guards, who performed first aid on the man who helped them, were uninjured in the raid but left badly shaken.
Det Supt Field said the robbers were "reckless, very dangerous" and "appear not to have any regard for human life". Mr Field said the robbers were "reckless, very dangerous" and "appear not to have any regard for human life".
It is understood the man who fired the gun was wearing white or cream trainers. He is said to have fired two shots.It is understood the man who fired the gun was wearing white or cream trainers. He is said to have fired two shots.
Police said they had located several key witnesses and their investigation was currently focused on the Essex area, although it could be expanded.Police said they had located several key witnesses and their investigation was currently focused on the Essex area, although it could be expanded.