When Callum Matts was in the park with his friends late one evening, he didn't expect his night to end with him pinning a knife wielding man to the floor.
But that's exactly what the fast-thinking 17-year-old did when Mathieu Lucas appeared in Cadishead Park, Salford, wearing a clown mask and carrying a 12-inch blade.
Now Callum has been recognised for his gutsy behaviour and given Greater Manchester Police's bravery award for snapping into action without a second thought.
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As 25-year-old Lucas approached the group of friends at around 1am on 21 April, he swung the kitchen knife towards Callum's abdomen.
Speaking to LADbible, University of Chester student Callum said: "Only one or two dim lights were lit. I saw the knife glint off of one of the lights and then told my friends. I hadn't come across anything like this before and never really got caught up in a lot of violence prior to the incident.
"He started running at us when we were sat on a bench and I was lucky enough to have gotten my legs from under the bench and turn around before the knife had reached my abdomen.
"My mind was pretty blank at the time. I was shocked to have even seen someone dressed as he was and carrying what he was because it isn't something you come across regularly.
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"I just remember thinking I was going to be hurt in the moment. I expected to be stabbed. I was surprised when I managed to stop him."
Callum, now 18, reacted instinctively and managed to grab the arm Lucas was holding the weapon in. He fell to the floor which was when the group of friends stood on his wrist and got the knife from his grasp.
The Sports Journalism student continued: "The police arrived after 20-30 minutes and took him away. I grabbed my belongings and headed home with one of my friends. Then the police wanted to speak to us and get statements before we went to bed as it was pretty late into the evening. They took statements and that was it for the night really.
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"After [the incident] I had 16-year-old people thanking me saying I had saved their lives because he had threatened and chased these people before he came across us.
"I don't feel like a hero. I did what anyone else would have done when faced with the situation."
Speaking about his award, he added: "I felt really privileged when I heard about the award because not many people are lucky enough to get the award. Police officers get the award for the things they do which showed the severity of the situation as they face these situations often."
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Lucas, from Cadishead in Salford, Manchester, had also been seen holding a 'small black gun' and pointing it at people - it later turned out to be fake, according to the Manchester Evening News.
He was sentenced in August to two years and four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and threatening with a blade.
Featured Image Credit: GMPTopics: UK News, News, Daily Ladness, crime, UK