Service to be held today for three fallen Blackpool police officers

Retired and serving police officers are expected to gather in Blackpool later today to pay their respects to three colleagues who drowned in the sea '“ 34 years on from the tragedy that rocked the resort.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Jan 2017, 09:31 BST

Updated 9th Jan 2017, 12:40 BST

The memorial at Gynn Square, to the three police officers who died trying to save a dog walker, who also perished in the sea off Blackpool

The service will be held at Gynn Square from 1pm to remember the lives of a dog walker who was swept into the sea, and the three PCs who tried to save him, on January 5, 1983.

That day, which cost the lives of PCs Angela Bradley, 23, Gordon Connolly, 24, and Colin Morrison, 38, has been described as the darkest day in the history of Lancashire Police.

The three, alongside PC Pat Abram, who survived and had to be resuscitated by a passing doctor, were trying to rescue Glaswegian Alistair Anthony, who was swept off his feet while trying to rescue his Jack Russell, which had entered the sea while chasing a ball.

Blackpool