A motorist whose car veered off an icy stretch of road and ended up upside down in a ditch full of freezing cold water has thanked the emergency responders who he says helped save his life.
Emergency services were called to Cherry Holt Lane in Pinchbeck (Lincolnshire) this morning at 4:52 am.
Reports came in that a vehicle had overturned his vehicle and ended up in a freezing river with the driver still trapped inside.
PC Phil Mcallister, from Lincolnshire Police, was one of the first brave emergency responders who rushed to the scene.
Seeing the life-or-death situation that the driver was in, and without any regard for his safety, PC Mcallister jumped into the 12-foot deep ditch to free motorist Dave Anthony from his vehicle.
Despite the freezing temperatures, PC Mcallister was able to keep Mr Anthony’s head above water until he was freed from the vehicle.
Paramedics on the scene treated Mr Anthony but thankfully sustained no injuries.
He said:
“I’d like to say a very, very big thank you and that my family and I appreciate everyone’s efforts today. I would have been a goner if PC Mcallister hadn’t jumped in to get me out.
“He was brilliant, and I think he deserves a commendation for what he did today.
“If it wasn’t for him, and the emergency services, I would’ve been underwater and you would’ve had a fatality instead of just a soaking wet, freezing cold bloke. Thank you.”
Chief Inspector Dave Plumb said:
“PC Mcallister put himself in danger to save a life, which illustrates that public safety is and will always be our number one priority.
“We’d also like to take this opportunity to remind the public to please be careful and to remember to drive to the conditions of the road.”
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