Two courageous veterans, John Dunleavey and Darren Parsley, sprang to action following a suspected gas explosion at a house on Hugh Street, Bransty, West Cumbria, on New Year's Eve, December 31. The duo’s quick response not only showcased their military training but their unwavering spirit of community.
John Dunleavey, 53, who has served three decades in the army, is currently employed as a health and safety consultant at Sellafield Ltd. On the night of the explosion, he was at home watching television with his partner, Joanne Adair, when the blast erupted. "It was massive," he recalled. "I just got my shoes on and ran down; I could see a plume of smoke in the air... I shouldn't have really entered the building but I knew there was someone in there, so I climbed over the rubble."
Darren Parsley, also working at Sellafield and an ex-army air corps personnel, joined him just moments after. Together, they shouted, "Is anybody there?" as they navigated the debris-laden area. The urgency of the moment heightened, causing them to remain on high alert as they carefully searched the crumbled structure for survivors.
While moving through the wreckage, they heard soft noises emanate from within. "We looked around and we could just see a hand," John recalled. Finding one man trapped beneath debris, the pair quickly began to talk to him and move rubble away. "He told us there was another two people upstairs," John added, showcasing both the urgency and unshakeable focus displayed by the veterans.
Knowing the building's dangerous condition, John shouted up to the women trapped above. "I started calling their names as they responded back, but I realized there was 'no way' I could have made it to the other two casualties due to the instability of the building," he explained. Instead, he advised them to remain calm and assured them emergency services were on the way: "I just really reassured them two upstairs constantly talking to them, as you can expect, being involved in an explosion, you’re going to be totally disoriented and overwhelmed."
While John reached out to the trapped women, Darren remained focused on the man they had discovered. "Darren was seeing to the lad on the floor... we managed to get him to safety and to the back of the ambulance," John said, praising his comrade for his exceptional control and focus on the situation, ensuring there were no other hidden casualties.
The emotional toll of the evening weighed heavily on John, as memories from his military service surged back. "It just fetched back memories; I have got a bit of PTSD with being subject to certain things in Afghanistan and Iraq. The instinct of my army medic kicked in." Understanding the dangers of entering the unstable structure, he reflected, "I maybe shouldn't have gone in there but it was instinct; I had to get in there and make sure everybody was okay."
Both veterans expressed their relief to have been able to save lives, embodying the spirit of heroism and selflessness many have come to associate with military service. "I think it's great how a small community like this can pull together and just look out for each other, I think it’s brilliant—that's what it's all about," John remarked, reinforcing the power and resilience found within community bonds during crisis.
This incident not only highlighted the incredible bravery of John and Darren but also illuminated how communities can unite during times of immediate need, reminding us of the human capacity to care for one another, even amid chaos.