Essex Police Bravery Awards: Officer who who risked his own safety to save the life of a driver and her children as she went into a diabetic shock wins Award

AN ESSEX Police Officer from Canvey Island who risked his own safety to save the life of a driver and her children as she went into a diabetic shock behind the wheel has won an Essex Police Federation Bravery Award.

PC Ewan Love was on patrol along the A130 in November 2018 when he saw several vehicles ahead of him swerving to avoid something in the road.

As he got, closer PC Love could see a Jaguar car weaving across the carriageway, causing other vehicles to take evasive action.

The car then hit the central reservation, but despite PC Love switching on the blue lights, the driver of the car failed to respond and continued driving at around 50 mph.

The driver appeared oblivious to what was going on as the vehicle drifted into fast-moving lanes of traffic.

He could see the woman driver was staring straight ahead and worryingly had children in the back seats.

Even striking the barrier didn’t affect her, and it was clear she needed emergency medical help.

Courageously PC Love accelerated ahead of the vehicle and pulled in front of it, managing to bring it to a halt against the barrier.

By now, smoke had filled the carriageway as a tyre had sheared off the vehicle.

Bravely getting in front of the vehicle was just the start of the rescue and PC Love had to smash his way into the car to get the occupants to safety.

“The doors of the car were all locked, so I smashed the windows and managed to get a couple of lorry and van drivers over, and we managed to get the kids to a layby, and I then dealt with the driver,” he said.

“Coming up the road behind her, I was thinking what the hell is going on? I think the whole incident lasted less than a minute.

“I didn’t have too much time to think really. Seeing the way the car was behaving and the risk to everyone else, it all happened quickly.

“Thankfully, the children are fine, and she’s made a full recovery.

“It’s nice to be recognised for the Award.”

The two children, girls, aged six and seven at the time, were shaken by the ordeal but unharmed. It transpired their mother had suffered a critical diabetic episode causing her to lose control of the vehicle.

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said PC Love had saved lives.

“What an absolute hero,” said Laura. “Without PC Love’s intervention, the incident could have had fatal consequences. It was an incredibly quick-thinking courageous act, and he used all of his skills and training to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

“It’s a great example of Essex Police Officers’ dedication and tenacity – and how police officers do much more than fight crime. PC Love is a worthy award winner.”

PC Love will attend the first ever Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards – which will combine celebrating 2020 and 2021 winners – this September. Overall winners for both years will be announced. They will go on to compete in the National Police Bravery Awards.

The Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards are sponsored by Uniform Mortgages.