Coroner Edward King commended the bravery of three Police officers, five firefighters and one civilian who risked their lives in attempts to save four people stranded on the Causeway during Hurricane Fabian.

During yesterday's inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death and disappearance of P.c. Stephen Symons, P.c. Nicole O'Connor, duty station officer Gladys Saunders and civilian Manuel Pacheco, Coroner King cited nine people "worthy of receiving bravery awards".

One of the men listed was P.c. Winfred Austin, who strapped himself to a payloader in the attempts of reaching the four. He was forced to turn around due to poor visibility after driving 15 or 20 feet across the Causeway. Two other Police officers ? Sergeant Devonish Small and P.c. Brian Robinson ? were also singled out for bravery.

Civilian Coolridge Butterfield, of Island Construction Services Limited, was also recommended for a bravery award after he drove the front end loader onto the Causeway with P.c. Austin strapped to the bucket. Both were forced to turn back because of the storm's fury.

Five firefighters were also cited for bravery. Four of the firefighters were tied to each other with rope in an attempt to reach the victims. They, and their commanding officer, were forced back to their trucks but not before being thrown into the water, with one firefighter breaking his hand after being battered by high wind and waves.

Coroner King said he commended all each one of them for their bravery.