A HEROIC RAF Sergeant from Burnley has received a top bravery honour after risking his life in an attempt to save a fisherman.

Sgt Daniel Martin Allanson was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for the night-time rescue off the coast of the Falkland Islands.

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The 34-year-old, was part of a four-man Search and Rescue team called to rescue a fisherman lost overboard from the vessel FV Venturer 60 miles north-east of East Falklands last July.

The former St Theodore’s RC High School pupil battled 45-foot-high waves, torrential rain and 55mph winds as he was winched down to lift the man from the freezing water on the first attempt.

Clinging on to the man while being battered by the violent waves and swelling current, Sgt Allanson was winched back into the helicopter and provided life support as they made their way to hospital. Despite the team’s valiant attempts, the man was pronounced dead at hospital.

A member of 22 Squadron based at Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, Sgt Allanson is one of just three members of the armed forces to be honoured with the QGM this year.

The Operational Honours and Awards List, announced by the Ministry of Defence yesterday, recognises the efforts of British service personnel in Afghanistan and on national operations.

Sgt Allanson, who now lives with his wife, Chrissie, in Hadleigh, Suffolk, was one of 14 people honoured at a ceremony in London’s Lancaster House on Wednesday.

He said: “It was a real shock receiving the award, we were just doing our job, but I’m proud our efforts have been recognised.

“The weather was dire, but as a Search and Rescue team we have to hope for the best case scenario – that there is some chance, no matter how small, that we can find someone and rescue them.”

“Fear doesn’t really go through my mind when I’m being winched down towards the water, I’m just focused on the rescue at hand I don’t have time to consider the risks or dangers because all I’m thinking about at that point is safely helping someone out of the water He said the mission was tinged with sadness as the fisherman later died from his injuries.

Sgt Allanson’s colleague, Flight Lieutenant Ian Campbell, was awarded the Air Force Cross for his role in the rescue. Prime Minister David Cameron praised the Burnley man’s heroics in a speech at Number 10, where he described those honoured as ‘the very best of our country’.

He said: “From pioneering battlefield medical treatment to rescuing fisherman stranded at sea...together they highlight just how many people our UK military help to protect both at home and abroad.”

Sgt Allanson’s citation read: “For demonstrating exemplary, selfless courage and determination in risking his own life in order to winch to safety a fisherman, 60 miles north-east of East Falkland on July 28, 2014.”