TWO COURAGEOUS West Mercia officers who risked their lives to stop a car driving the wrong way down the M5 motorway have spoken of their pride after winning a regional Police Bravery Award.
Officers, PC Stacey Hegenbarth and Sergeant Kully Singh, were regional winners at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) event last Thursday (July 10).
The officers, based at Bromsgrove at the time of their brave ordeal, were nominated for their handling of the incident last July.
Called to reports of a vehicle travelling at 80mph in the wrong direction southbound near junction 5 of the M5, Sgt Singh manoeuvred their patrol vehicle and stopped the offender with a near head-on collision.
It left the officers with severe whiplash and PC Hegenbarth with a concussion and abdominal bruising, from which they have fully recovered.
PC Hegenbarth paid tribute to the bravery of colleagues in West Mercia and across the country.
She said: “I’m humbled by the award, and I’m really proud to represent West Mercia.
“Everyone does things on a daily basis that are worthy of being here, so it’s a privilege to be receiving the award.”
Her comments were echoed by Sgt Singh, who said the pair ‘were doing their job’.
He said: “I’m massively humbled by it.
“The stories we have heard are so harrowing, heroic, and courageous.
“We came to do our job. I know it’s been said so many times, but we genuinely did. It’s really nice to be recognised.”
West Mercia Police representative, Sergeant Rob ‘Swoosh’ Seewoosaha, accompanied the duo to the event.
He said: “Kully and Stacey’s courageous actions brought an incredibly dangerous situation to an end.
“They displayed remarkable bravery and unbelievable selflessness, knowing they were putting themselves in danger to protect the public.
“It highlights the risks officers face every day, in facing up to dangerous situations.”
Their incident was mentioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper during her speech at the awards ceremony.
She said: “I say this on behalf of people right across the country, we are hugely grateful for the bravery you show.”
