AN Ipswich British Transport police officer who witnessed the full horror of the tube bombings is back on duty today after receiving a commendation for his “outstanding actions”.

AN Ipswich British Transport police officer who witnessed the full horror of the tube bombings is back on duty today after receiving a commendation for his “outstanding actions”.

Acting inspector Bob Munn was the first officer to reach the decimated carriage of the train involved in the Aldgate blast.

The 41-year-old was also the voice that could be heard on last month's BBC documentary 7/7: The Day the Bombs Came, radioing in that a bomb had gone off and declaring the atrocity a major incident.

With his family looking on, Insp Munn received his commendation from transport secretary Alistair Darling during a ceremony at TUC House in Great Russell Street, London.

Other officers also had their contributions to the rescue effort recognised, including six BTP probationers nominated by Insp Munn, who was on secondment in London at the time.

He said: “It's the highest award that can be given within the police service. The recognition is nice, but it's tempered by the knowledge that 52 people lost their lives.

“I am extremely proud, particularly of the six probationers with me who only had three weeks service and witnessed scenes of carnage which nobody should be made to see. They performed their duties in an exemplary manner which somebody with 20 years services would have been proud of, let alone someone with 21 days.”

The commendation signed by BTP chief constable Ian Johnston cited Insp Munn for his outstanding actions at Aldgate underground station where, as one of the officers first on the scene, he commenced the rescue of injured passengers from the bomb-damaged train in horrific circumstances, liaised with emergency services and deployed officers at the scene.

Eight people including two from Ipswich, Richard Ellery and Richard Gray, died during the explosion, which occurred about 200 metres from Aldgate station. Shehzad Tanweer the bomber who detonated the explosion was also killed.

Ipswich dance partners Crystal Main and Bruce Lait were also aboard the bombed carriage. Although injured, they both survived.

Shortly after the bombing Insp Munn told of the scene which confronted him when he ran down the tracks to the train.

He said: “It was smokey and dusty. There was a terrific noise and lots of people were screaming and shouting. I went up to the carriage and looked in. The carriage was just devastated. How anyone survived is beyond me.”