King’s bravery award for PC who saved burning woman

PC Rhona Adams was honoured for her bravery during a ceremony on Wednesday

A police officer whose quick thinking saved the life of a woman who had set herself on fire has been honoured by the King with a bravery award.

West Yorkshire PC Rhona Adams tried to smother the flames with her bare hands after finding the woman in the toilet of a busy McDonald’s restaurant in Bradford in June 2024.

The officer, who is 29, was awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery on Wednesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, she said: “As much as it is nice being here, I hope I am never put in the same circumstances again.”

Adams said when she found the woman in the restaurant’s toilet she “literally just grabbed hold of her and started patting her down with my hands”.

The officer added: “My hands burnt and I eventually went to hospital.

“It’s something that is definitely ingrained in my mind.

“I just decided to touch her and hug her and put her needs before my own.”

After dousing the fire, Adams used an extinguisher to prevent it spreading, helping keep families and children in the restaurant safe.

The Police Federation previously said the officer’s actions had helped limit the woman’s injuries to first and second-degree burns.

During the ceremony at St James’s Palace, Adams said: “The thing I’m most happy about is that I’m with my mum and my dad.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Additional reporting by PA Media.