Terror attack hero receives his MBE
STEPHEN Mingay – the Ely policeman who risked his life carrying victims of the July 7 terror attacks from an underground train – was made an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week. Temporary Inspector Mingay, 47, went to the palace with wife Sar
STEPHEN Mingay - the Ely policeman who risked his life carrying victims of the July 7 terror attacks from an underground train - was made an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week.
Temporary Inspector Mingay, 47, went to the palace with wife Sarah and his mother, Alma, who watched proudly as he was recognised for his heroism at an investiture ceremony honouring rescuers last Wednesday.
He was also invited back to the palace for a reception in the evening.
"It was an incredible experience," he said.
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"I was very nervous, despite the fact that I've been close to the royals on a number of occasions in my capacity as a policeman.
"It was fantastic to have the privilege of speaking to the Queen - she asked about my actions on the day and expressed how horrible it must have been."
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Temp Insp Mingay was at King's Cross on July 7, co-ordinating the traffic heading towards the Gleneagles G8 summit when he felt an explosion beneath his feet.
Rushing down to the Piccadilly Line platform, he realised he would have to make the 70ft journey up the tunnel to help people in the bombed underground train.
He lifted terrified and bewildered passengers from the train and reassured stricken travellers that they would be taken to safety.
Temp Insp Mingay has never revealed what he saw in the carriage out of respect for the victims and their families, but he said leaving behind some victims in order to report information back to rescue crews was the "the hardest thing I have ever had to do."
He said that although he is a private man, he has been flattered by the support of the people of Ely.
"Especially the ladies at the Lunch Box," he said.
Temp Insp Mingay said of his MBE medal: "It's safely hidden away at the moment until I've decided just what to do with it.
