'Dad would be proud as punch of Elizabeth Emblem'

A council engineer, who died in 1986 after the platform he was standing on to put up lights was hit by a bus, would be "proud as punch" of being awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, his daughter has said.

Jonathan White, 28, died on Christmas Day after falling 30ft (9.1m) on to the road after the double-decker struck the platform.

Kristina Penny, who was four years old at the time, said the honour, which recognises public servants who died in the line of duty, created a "great legacy" for her father.

"Growing up without him had a huge impact, which is why this emblem is so important to us," she said.

An inquest ruled White's death was accidental and Blackpool Council, where he worked in the Illuminations department, accepted liability.

Penny recalls her late mother taking her to her first day at school on the day of his funeral, which she said showed "incredible strength".

"Dad would be proud as punch about [the award]," she added.

White's sister, Mary Weaving, said her brother's death was something her family would never, and should never, get over.

She said: "He was an incredible man. An ordinary, humble man.

"The tragedy that befell him shouldn't have happened, but this [award] just helps to give that meaning to him."

One of three Blackpool police officers, who drowned trying to save a tourist who was attempting to rescue his dog in 1983, Angela Bradley, also received the award.

PCs Bradley, 23, Gordon Connolly, 24, and Colin Morrison, 38, died trying to save Alistair Anthony, 25, from Glasgow, who went into the water to rescue his Jack Russell dog and was overcome by the strong tide and crashing waves.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said it was an "honour" to meet some of the families of the recipients in Number 10 on Wednesday.

He said: "Their loved ones dedicated themselves to public service and it is right that we honour them this way.

"They will be remembered for what they did to make our country a better place to live."

Named after the late Queen, the Elizabeth Emblem was introduced in 2024 after a campaign by Bryn Hughes, whose daughter Nicola was murdered along with her colleague Fiona Bone while working for Greater Manchester Police in 2012.

The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.

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