Driver thanks police who jumped into freezing ditch filled with water to save him after crash

The motorist whose car veered off an icy stretch of road and ended up upside down in a ditch full of freezing cold water has thanked emergency services who he says helped save his life.

Emergency services were called to Cherry Holt Lane in Pinchbeck on Monday (December 7) morning at 4:52am reporting an overturned vehicle with a man trapped inside it.

PC Phil McAllister was one of the officers who arrived on scene.

Concerned for his safety, PC McAllister took the decision to jump into the 12-foot deep ditch to free motorist Dave Anthony from his vehicle.

He was able to keep Mr Anthony’s head above water until he was freed from the vehicle, despite the freezing temperatures.

Mr Anthony was treated by paramedics on scene but thankfully sustained no injuries.

He said: “I’d like to say a very, very big thank you and that my family and I appreciate everyone’s efforts today. I would have been a goner if PC McAllister hadn’t jumped in to get me out. He was brilliant and I think he deserves a commendation for what he did today.

“If it wasn’t for him, and the emergency services, I would’ve been underwater and you would’ve had a fatality instead of just a soaking wet, freezing cold bloke. Thank you.”

Chief Inspector Dave Plumb said: “PC McAllister put himself in danger to save a life, which illustrates that public safety is and will always be our number one priority.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to remind the public to please be careful and to remember to drive to the conditions of the road.”