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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Robbery 'hero' wakes from surgery | Robbery 'hero' wakes from surgery |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 security 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 in a high dependency unit at Southend Hospital after being shot in the chest. | |
| His father, Michael, said it was a "terrible incident", adding that his son had been "extremely brave". | |
| A £25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robbers. | |
| Bravery praised | Bravery praised |
| "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." | "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 guard and her male colleague were attacked as they loaded money into a cash machine at Rayleigh station, police said. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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," said Mr Field. |
| He was heroic, there is no doubt about it Det Supt Michael Field, British Transport Police | 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." | "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. | 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. |
| Two shots | Two 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. |
| Mr 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. |