One of the heroes of the Brighton Bombing has died aged 76.
Brian Murray, who was the first ambulance man on the scene after the blast, is credited with saving Norman Tebbit, Chief Whip John Wakeham, MP Sir Walter Clegg and Tory conference organiser Harvey Thomas.
Lord Tebbit, who was trapped on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel, led the tributes yesterday (March 22) to the Brighton man.
Speaking to The Argus from his Suffolk home, he said: “My wife and I remain profoundly grateful to all of those in the emergency services who played their part in rescuing us and others at The Grand.
“My recollection of that night are not unnaturally blurred but I remember the kindness and gentleness with which the paramedics including Mr Murray took me from the hands of the firemen who dug us out and took us to the hospital.
“The last thing I remember of that evening was one of the paramedics, perhaps Mr Murray, asking me if I was allergic to anything. I said only bombs.”
Honoured
Mr Murray, who lived in Pankhurst Avenue with his wife Gillian, 64, was awarded the British Empire Medal for his bravery and received messages from the Queen and the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
He was the first ambulance man on the scene on October 12 and ran into the crumbling building before he had time to put on his safety equipment.
Describing his experience to The Argus in the weeks after, he told how having entered the pitch black lobby, he heard a scream for help.
He made his way past dangling live wires and dripping water until he found Norman Tebbit.
He gave him oxygen and dressed his wounds before firefighters carried him to safety.
Family pride
Over the next six and a half hours he continued to work his way through the bomb-shattered building, grabbing trapped survivors and hauling them to the front door before heading back inside.
His son, Trevor Murray, who last year made the news himself by pulling a pensioner out of the path of an oncoming train, said he was the “perfect dad”.
The 38-year-old added: “There is a story of him from that night where he carried a bit of scaffolding up the crumbling stairs and made himself a make-shift bridge. He was incredible.
“He was everything I aspired to be in terms of being a father, a family man and in work. He was my role model.”
The proud family man made the headlines again five years later as a figurehead for the ambulance service’s pay strike.
Parliamentary protest
He featured in many of the national papers for a three day hunger protest outside the Houses of Parliament and is said to have told Mrs Thatcher “to stick her medal”.
South East Coast Ambulance Service manager Jon Morris worked his first shift in Brighton with Brian.
He said: “Brian was a very well-known and respected member of the ambulance service.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Mr Murray died on March 16 after developing stomach complications.
His funeral will be held at the Woodvale North Chapel, off Lewes Road, on April 3 at 1.30pm.
Send your tributes to Mr Murray to ben.james@theargus.co.uk.
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