Leg blast mine-clearer honoured

Mr Alderson was treated at a local hospital after the blast

A Teesside mine-clearing expert who lost part of his leg while helping to clear cluster bombs in Lebanon has been honoured for his bravery.

David Alderson, from Saltburn, and two other men, were helping a shepherd trapped in an unmarked minefield when the explosion happened.

He was taken to hospital, where part of one of his legs was later amputated.

He, and his two colleagues, were given bronze medals at the Royal Humane Society bravery awards on Wednesday.

Mr Alderson received his award alongside Damir Paradzik, from Gorazde in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and team medic Nabil Hammoud, from Teir Diba in Lebanon.

Highly dangerous

The explosion occurred last November when the three were attempting to reach a shepherd in a field near the village of Deir Mimas, south of Marjayoun and two miles west of the Israeli border.

While attempting to reach his colleague, Mr Paradzik set off another landmine and he also suffered serious leg injuries. Mr Hammoud lost his front teeth in the explosion.

Mr Alderson's employer ArmorGroup has been clearing unexploded ordinance in the area for the United Nations' Mine Action Co-ordination Centre.

Adrian Gilbert, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "These men nearly lost their own lives trying to rescue a complete stranger in highly dangerous terrain.

"We are proud to honour them for their bravery and humanity."

Mr Alderson said: "It's quite a proud day and its good for all three of us.

"We need to go through the healing process, but once we've done that we will go back to work."