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  Life   More Features  04 Dec 2017  Images of UK policeman holding on to van hanging off bridge go viral

Images of UK policeman holding on to van hanging off bridge go viral

THE ASIAN AGE
Published : Dec 4, 2017, 4:08 pm IST
Updated : Dec 4, 2017, 6:05 pm IST

Martin Willis held on to the rear tyre for 15 minutes till rescue officers arrived and pulled the van to safety.

Martin Willis is being hailed for his courage on social media (Photo: Twitter)
 Martin Willis is being hailed for his courage on social media (Photo: Twitter)

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.

 

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.

Tags: viral story, courage, cop