Crash casualty is pulled from blazing car by off-duty officer

AVERTED BY ‘AMAZING’

DISASTER IS

AN OFF-DUTY police officer has been described as “amazing” after he pulled an unconscious man from a burning car.

The officer was involved in a three-car crash at the junction of Shepshed Road and Beacon Road at Woodhouse Eaves, near Loughborough, shortly before 10am on Saturday.

A witness saw the off-duty officer, who works for a neighbouring force, get out of his damaged car, go to the burning vehicle and pull the unconscious casualty to safety.

Police colleagues then arrived at the scene along with firefighters, who put out the fire while officers handled the crash and closed off the junction. The crash casualty escaped with minor injuries and was discharged from hospital after treatment.

The road was closed for several hours while emergency services were at the scene, reopening in the early afternoon.

The witness said: “It was a particularly nasty accident with three cars involved, one of which burst into flames.

“One of the other cars involved in the collision belonged to an off-duty police officer. “Not only was his car totally written off, he then proceeded to pull the occupant of the car that was in flames – who was also unconscious – out of the car. “To witness what he did was truly amazing, he gave no thought for himself.”

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to Shepshed Road, Woodhouse Eaves, at about 9.55am on Saturday following a three-vehicle collision. “One of the vehicles was alight and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to assist. One person was taken to hospital.

“We can confirm that the injured man was rescued from the car by an off-duty police officer from a neighbouring force.”

To witness what he did was truly amazing, he gave no thought for himself

Crash witness