AN Oxfordshire helicopter pilot whose crew rescued three holidaymakers from treacherous seas after they fell overboard has spoken about being honoured as one of the nation's unsung heroes.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown congratulated Flight Lieutenant Iain Robertson, 51, from RAF Benson, at 10 Downing Street. Mr Robertson was named a National Life Saver, at the Vodafone Life Savers Awards.
Flt Lt Robertson said: "I am very pleased to have received this award as just one member of an enormous team who pulled off the rescue.
"I exchanged a few words with Mr Brown, who gave us three quarters of an hour out of his very busy schedule to speak to us."
He added: "It was quite a challenging rescue and one I will always remember.
"I have done about 300 rescues in 20 years and some just stick in your mind."
The crew saved two people from freezing North Sea waters after a huge wave capsized their yacht. A third man from the yacht could not be revived. One of the two survivors wrote to the RAF asking that the crew's actions be recognised. He said: "The words fearlessness, courage and valour do not come close to describing these men."
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