“Guardian angel” Essex Police officer saves man’s sight
A 46-YEAR-OLD Basildon man who had chemicals thrown in his face has thanked a “guardian angel” officer from Essex Police for saving his sight.
Chijioke Ezebude, a self-employed railway worker and father of four, suffered serious damage to his eyes after the alkaline liquid attack in March last year, but says it would have been much worse had it not been for PC Pete Pettet.
Mr Ezebude was taken to Basildon Hospital, but doctors were not able to treat him and he was told there would be a four-hour wait for an ambulance transfer to Southend.
PC Pettet, who had arrived at the hospital to take the victim’s statement, realised that he needed immediate treatment and rushed him to Southend. Gathering blankets, he heated up his car and then wheeled Mr Ezebude out and raced down the A127 on blue and twos.
“I will never forget him, I owe him everything,” said Mr Ezebude. “He went above and beyond, that’s who I owe my eyes to.”
Mr Ezebude’s wife Mary added: “PC Pettet was the epitome of a police man. God sent him to be our guardian angel and save my family from the trauma of a horrific incident, which if not for his quick-thinking and empathy, could have ended much worse.
“He attended to take a statement but ended up being our pillar of strength and support.”
Mr Ezebude was attacked on 19 March 2016 after he intervened to stop a gang beating up a teenager in Vange, Basildon. He has since lost his job and will need lifetime of treatment because the damage to his eyes mean they become infected easily, reports the Echo newspaper.
Thomas Eastwood, 23, has been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and will be sentenced on 21 February.
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