Top bravery gong for hero cop who saved the life of battered England fan during Euro 2016 riots
Chief Brigadier Patrice Martin braved a barrage of missiles as he rushed to help Andrew Bache after he was attacked in Marseilles
A HERO French cop who saved the life of an England fan battered senseless by Russian Ultras has been rewarded for his amazing courage.
Chief Brigadier Patrice Martin rushed to help stricken Portsmouth fan Andrew Bache after he was attacked by a brutal mob in Marseilles at the Euro2016 football championships.
Innocent Andrew found himself in the middle of the running street battles which marred the opening stages of this summer's tournament in France.
His life was only saved when courageous cop Martin braved missiles to give CPR to Andrew as he lay motionless in the street.
Mr Martin, a 46-year-old dad of three daughters was invited to Paris to receive a Ministry of the Interior medal.
He told the : “I am very proud and honoured.
“I received this medal on behalf of all the French and British authorities – especially the police and CRS in Marseilles.”
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Andrew was in Marseilles on June 11 when a group of Russian Ultras ambushed English fans.
He was smashed on the head and his cheekbone was crushed by what police believe was an iron bar.
The 51-year-old collapsed in the street with a heart attack and was rushed to hospital where he was in a coma.
He eventually returned to the UK four weeks later and is understood to be recovering slowly.
We faced a real urban guerrilla. Supporters were fighting everywhere. Everything that could be thrown was thrown - tables, umbrellas, bottles, chairs
Chief Brigadier Patrice Martin
Martin explained how his company was drafted in when violence broke out in the Old Port area of Marseilles.
He said: “We faced a real urban guerrilla. Supporters were fighting everywhere.
“Everything that could be thrown was thrown - tables, umbrellas, bottles, chairs.
“It was very violent. We were required to both disperse the crowd, intervene in fights and try and get people to safety.
“It was indescribable. Clearly, they were here to fight.”
Martin is now expected to also receive the National Medal of courage and devotion, and the prestigious insignia of the Order of Merit.
He said: “During the presentation of the medal, I felt really honoured. The meeting with the two ministers was quick, but the two ministers warmly thanked me.
“It is an event which naturally will remain engraved with me.”
British Home Secretary Amber Rudd, home secretary, attended the presentation of the Medal of the Ministry along with French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.