WHEN PC Ian Aconley heard a man might be about to kill himself, he did not hesitate to act.

The man, from Rillington, had driven off in a suicidal state after an argument with his wife, and it was feared he might be trying to kill himself with exhaust fumes from his car.

PC Aconley, of Malton, contacted the man on his mobile phone and tried to calm him down.

Knowing carbon monoxide poisoning can take hold rapidly, and gauging that the man appeared to be losing consciousness, PC Aconley used his local knowledge to track the man down to a farm at Sheriff Hutton, and woke the owner to ask him to search the property.

PC Aconley then spoke calmly to the man's wife - just as the man was located, still breathing.

Now PC Aconley's quick-thinking has been recognised with an award, presented on behalf of the Eastern Area commander, Chief Superintendent David Short.

PC Aconley was among regular and special police officers, support staff and members of the public to receive Area Commander's Commendations yesterday afternoon, in an award ceremony at the Feversham Arms, Helmsley.

After the ceremony, PC Aconley recalled his part in saving the man's life.

He said: "It worked out quite well, but it was very tense at the time, and everything was moving so quickly. It's nice for specific things to be recognised, for your efforts to be recognised in that way, and to get a pat on the back."

PC Aconley received a second commendation for helping to investigate a series of thefts in the Ryedale area, resulting in four people receiving substantial prison sentences at York Crown Court.

He said: "It was extremely pleasing for me, because the offenders had been targeting my own area in southern Ryedale for a number of years."

Bill Wood, of Easingwold, was honoured for his work as the chairman of Easingwold Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Mr Wood has promoted the organisation's work throughout the area, including delivering presentations. He said: "I've been one out of a good team of people who have done a great deal of work contributing to our success. You don't do these things looking for any reward, but it's nice to receive recognition."

Police officers from Scarborough also received commendations for their investigations into allegations of child sex abuse against music teacher Geoffrey Kitchen, jailed for eight years in March.

Updated: 10:10 Thursday, July 03, 2003