A HEATHROW ambulanceman who single-handedly halted a killing spree by a crazed schizophrenic has been nominated for a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award.
Frank Samaras, 51, has been nominated for the Emergency Service Award and has worked with the London Ambulance Service for nine years.
In November 2006 he was called to Harlington High Street, where released mental patient and Tunisian illegal immigrant Laidi Benomor had just kicked a motorist to death.
When Mr Samaras arrived, Benomor was attacking another man, Philip Dennison, 69, who had stopped to help.
Courageously Mr Samaras distracted the attacker and dragged him off two passing women who he had started punching in the head.
By time reinforcements arrived Mr Samaras had saved three people, and as police took over, he collapsed from injuries and exhaustion.
Mr Samaras, a father of two, said: "Words cannot describe how shocked I was when I heard I'd been nominated for a Pride of Britain award.
"What happened that day will stay with me for the rest of my life but I don't think of myself as a hero."
Mr Samaras now lives in Windsor, but works at Heathrow airport as part of London Ambulace Service's cycle response unit working on a push bike.
Adam Crosby, Ambulance Operations manager for Hillingdon, said: "In all my experience of pre-hospital care, I have never heard of an act so full of continued courage as displayed by Frank at this incident.
"Frank placed himself in danger three times having seen the carnage this man was capable of inflicting.
"I know he still regrets he was unable to do anything to protect the life of the man who was killed."
The award, also known as the 999 award, is decided by public vote, and the winner will be announced on the night, and will be screened on October 1 on ITV1 at 8pm.
Mr Samaras is the second nominee with a Hillingdon connection to be nominated for a pride of Britain award, Uxbridge kick boxing instructor Dave Gentry has been nominated for the Local Champion Award.
