A woman who tried to run into moving traffic after crashing her car on the M53 was saved by an off-duty police officer.
As she was driving home in poor conditions on November 1, PC Stephanie Allinson, from Cheshire Police, saw a car in front of her crash into the central reservation at around 80mph before it spun into the live lanes. PC Allinson pulled over and went to help.
However, the driver "seemed hysterical" as she got out of the crashed car and it became clear to the officer that she was trying to take her own life, reports CheshireLive. As PC Allinson made contact with the control room, the woman tried to run into moving traffic, but she was stopped and restrained by the officer.
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The woman broke down and PC Allinson consoled her until traffic officers arrived. It was later discovered that she was a missing "high-risk" person from Merseyside.
The officer said: “I thought I had witnessed an accident so I got out to offer assistance and make sure the driver was okay or if they needed medical help. This quickly developed and transpired the driver was in distress and needed my help. I knew I couldn’t risk her hurting herself or others.
"I feel proud everyday to be a police officer but I don’t feel like I’ve done anything more than any other person would have done. I felt sad afterwards that someone could be in such a bad way they felt there was no other option. I feel happier as I know personally that she is now safe, well and happier with the help and support of family involved in her life.”
PC Allinson has now been nominated by the Cheshire Police Federation for the 2022 National Police Bravery Awards. The federation's chairman Jamie Thompson said: “Stephanie found herself in a very stressful and dangerous situation when she was technically off-duty, but her quick thinking and assessment of the situation saved at least one life, by preventing a woman from running into the live lanes of the motorway.
“Who knows what carnage could have ensued? This may well have caused significant injury or further fatalities to other road users.
“While Stephanie is very modest, she most definitely went above and beyond the call of duty, putting her own life at risk to help another. The brave and selfless actions of Stephanie represent the professionalism and selflessness of police officers in their duty to protect the public and she is fully deserving of this nomination.”
PC Allinson will attend a reception at an awards ceremony in London in July. There are a total of 77 nominees from 39 forces in England and Wales.
