Cop Holds On To Van Hanging Off Bridge With Bare Hands. Image Is Viral
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 IST
The officer said he was "only doing his job"
A UK police officer's heroic effort that saved a lorry driver's life while risking his own is being widely appreciated.
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Roads Policing Officer Martin Willis was patrolling in the early hours of Friday when he got a call about a road crash on the A1 highway in West Yorkshire.
Officer Martin was the first responding officer on scene and upon reaching the crash site he discovered that a van had overturned as a result of the crash and precariously dangling off the bridge. The driver was trapped inside and with every passing truck, the lorry swayed with the wind.
"I walked on the hard shoulder to the incident and I as I did so a lorry driver, who was not involved in the incident, shouted across to say there was a chap upside down in the van," he said.
Without much time left, Martin Willis signalled his colleagues to block the highway and grabbed the lorry's rear side tyre. Despite the danger of slipping off the bridge along with the van, the officer stayed calm and reassured the driver trapped under the vehicle. This went on for 15 minutes.
"I told the victim not to panic and said 'we're going to get you out of there, whatever you do, don't move.' I then grabbed hold of the rear wheel and pulled inwards which helped to keep the van balanced. I was there for a good 15 minutes I think," the officer admitted.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service officers arrived on scene and rescued the driver after pulling the van to safety. The operation took about two hours and the driver suffered leg injuries in the crash. He continues to be in the hospital.
The officer, who goes by "Motorway Martin", posted the image which shows him clinging to the lorry on Twitter and he was hailed for his brave effort. The image blew up quickly with nearly 1,800 retweets in just over a day.
Words of appreciation also came from the driver's brother who relayed his parents' message of gratitude for the helpful cop. The modest cop said he was just "doing his job".
All heroes don't wear capes. Some are out on the streets in a uniform.
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