David Nelson recognised for this heroic actions that left him in a coma

A Chiswick man who almost lost his life trying to save a barmaid from being strangled has been presented with a prestigious award for bravery.

Now 39, David Nelson spent weeks in a coma after he was thrown down a set of stone steps during the incident in the Pitcher and Piano bar in Richmond back in 2004. 

He had bravely stepped in when he saw Saed Kamali Porgoo attacking the barmaid and tried to remove him from the bar.  Porgoo, a paranoid schizophrenic who pushed Nelson down, was later arrested and committed under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Nelson was accompanied by his wife Nikki for the Scotland Yard Ceremony where was presented with the award by Sir Ian Blair. 

He said "It was just a really special day, I feel extremely honoured. Mindblowing, just mindblowing. I still can't believe I was sitting there and given an award like that, it was very emotional.  I felt proud but times like that make you realise what we have been through."

He added "It was lovely to be recognised, I couldn't ask for anything more than that, but I wish it hadn't happened in the first place."

Now the couple want to put the ordeal behind them "It was wonderful to be recognised, but now let's get on with life,"

September 28, 2006