NU Online News Service, June 24, 12:05 p.m.EDT

NEW YORK--Lloyd's of London presented its Gold Medalfor Saving Life last night to Capt. Chesley "Sully" SullenbergerIII for safely landing his U.S. Airways passenger jet in the HudsonRiver Jan. 15 after a bird strike caused engines to stall.

Lord Peter Levene, chair of Lloyd's, introduced the guest ofhonor at the annual Lloyd's New York City Dinner with words ofpraise for Capt. Sullenberger's "risk management skills,selflessness, sound judgment and bravery" in landing Flight 1549safely and saving all 155 on board.

However, he added a sobering observation. "We are grateful forthis 'miracle on the Hudson,'" he said, "while mindful that had theplane come down 400 yards to the left or to the right, we couldhave been facing another 9/11-type catastrophe."

The medal was presented by Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and afellow pilot who flew in the Falklands War. Prince Andrew serves asthe United Kingdom's specialrepresentative for international trade and investment.

Capt. Sullenberger said he would "gratefully accept this deephonor on behalf of my crew, my passengers and all thefirst-responders who performed so admirably and courageously duringthe evacuation that day."