Fearless actions

Kelt Jones is the 2018 winner of the Chief Executive’s Award for Bravery 2018 at this year’s Chairman’s Awards for Excellence.

The Welsh postman, based at Llanelli delivery office, was nominated and shortlisted for an award after showing outstanding courage by tackling a house fire as part of a fearless attempt to save the occupant.

Kelt was out on his delivery round when he came across a house with smoke billowing from its windows. After learning that someone was in the rear bedroom he entered the property, turned off the gas and climbed the stairs.

Despite Kelt’s valiant efforts, the tenant very sadly passed away from smoke inhalation.

Kelt, who received his award from Chairman Les Owen, said: ‘It’s hard, because you come away from something like this thinking, “Is there anything I could have done differently?” I know that young man passed away. I’ve gone over it a thousand times in my head. I don’t think there’s anything more I could have done.

‘I think it is just something that everybody might do. It was a tough situation to be in but it is nice to be appreciated for something you have done beyond your normal day of work.’

Chairman Les Owen said: ‘These awards are very special - I know lots and lots of people in Royal Mail who do great things and we can’t have all of them here - but these have all come from nominations from your peers, so they are very special.’