Brave nurse Lisa Way is to receive a medal after stepping in to try and stop a mentally unwell supermarket customer from lashing out at fellow shoppers with a kitchen knife.
Lisa was in the Co-op store in the village of Penygraig, Rhondda, South Wales, on May 5 2020. While in the branch Zara Radcliffe began stabbing towards other shoppers with the blade.
John Rees, who was killed during the attack, and Ayette Bounouri have also been recognised for confronting Radcliffe. John, 88, spotted the woman when she entered the store.
He took hold of her right arm, which was carrying the weapon, and placed himself between her and nurse Gaynor Saurin while trying to defuse the situation. However, as Radcliffe lunged forward, John lost his balance and fell backwards.
Lisa and Ayette then stepped in to help John. Lisa grabbed the attacker’s arm holding the knife while Ayette tried to use a shopping basket to disarm her.
Both women then desperately tried to distract Radcliffe, who had stabbed Lisa several times. Ayette meanwhile attempted to drag John to safety.
Ayette tried to grab the knife from the assailant but was threatened herself, forcing her to back away. John was ultimately stabbed and bludgeoned to death with two wine bottles and a fire extinguisher.
Radcliffe later went on to plead guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility, having denied murdering John. She was handed an indefinite hospital order.
All three have been awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, the last to be approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Lisa will receive her medal during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
A number of sport stars will also receive honours on Wednesday, including Lioness Leah Williamson. The Arsenal defender will receive an OBE for her services to Association Football.
England wheelchair rugby league captain Thomas Halliwell will also receive an OBE for his services to the sport while snooker player Judd Trump will receive a MBE for his services to snooker and charity.
