Images of UK policeman holding on to van hanging off bridge go viral
Martin Willis held on to the rear tyre for 15 minutes till rescue officers arrived and pulled the van to safety.
A large number of people lose their lives in road accidents across the globes and it’s the failure of others to help in time which leads to these avoidable tragedies in many cases. But there are also times where people have set an example by showing extraordinary courage to save lives.
A police officer in UK’s West Yorkshire is being lauded all over the internet for risking his own life and displaying perseverance to save a lorry driver’s life. On getting a call about a crash, Martin Willis reached the A1 highway to find a van overturned and dangling off the bridge.
As trucks passed by the wind caused the lorry swayed with the wind with the driver trapped inside. Martin signalled his colleagues to block the highway without losing much time and held on to the vehicle’s rear tire even as he risked being dragged down with it.
1st on the scene of this collision on the #A1M this morning and faced with a vehicle balancing over the edge of a bridge with the driver trapped! After holding on to the vehicle to stop it swaying in the wind I can't begin to desribe my relief when @WYFRS arrived on scene! pic.twitter.com/E8ilktlOl7
— Motorway Martin (@WYP_PCWILLIS) December 1, 2017
He assured the driver of his safety and asked him to stay still as he pulled the wheel inwards to prevent the van from falling off. He held on for 15 minutes as the rescue services arrived and pulled the van to safety following a two hour operation.
The driver sustained leg injuries and is recovering in the hospital while the officer is being hailed as a hero after the images went viral.