Cop's bodycam captures heart-stopping moment officers formed a human chain to rescue woman from sinking car
When it comes to helping people, one not only needs intelligence and muscular force but also a thoughtful and kind heart to do everything it takes to help. The Birmingham Live shared a video of officers coming to a woman’s rescue. The West Mercia Police officers received a call about a woman trapped in a vehicle, as reported by The Daily Mail. The woman’s car was stuck in water and she needed the trio, Sergeant Shannon Murphy, Sergeant Lee Baker and PC Thomas Simmonds, along with others, to band together and get her out, BBC News revealed. Using their skill and selflessness, the officers were determined to rescue the woman and formed a human chain to get her out.
The officers responded to a 999 call from a woman who said that her electric car had stalled and had gone into a river while she was still in it. She was in neck-deep water and was in dire need of help when she made the call. The officers responded and arrived on the scene, quickly assessing the situation. The vehicle was 32 feet down and the motorist was unable to lower her windows. Officer Baker jumped into action by taking on the dangerous task of breaking open the submerged vehicle. He used a baton to break the window and create an outlet for the woman. They then all worked cooperatively as a team to get her out.
The footage reveals how the officers quickly formed a human chain and held on tight while Officer Baker tried to pull the woman out. It was hard for the officers to hold on and keep up the strength to pull the woman out. Nevertheless, the officers held on bravely for a few minutes until the woman was able to be removed completely from the car without being harmed. Their method was an impromptu and unconventional one, which probed her to profusely apologize. However, the officers, ever so gently, responded, “Don't apologise, lovely, don't apologise.” 20 minutes after the call was placed, the motorist was rescued unharmed.
The car quickly sank thereafter, but luckily, she made it out thanks to the quick thinking of the officers. The West Mercia Police shared a Facebook post commending the group. The West Mercia Police Chief Inspector Brian Gibbs commended the officers, saying he was "immensely proud” of their skilful rescue at the spur of the moment. Along with the three officers, Matthew Anstiss, Erin Fairleads, Sam Quayle and Thomas Simmonds, who also helped form the human chain, were rewarded for their bravery. Andrew Chapman, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, also praised the group for their astute action. “Time was of the essence in this incident,” he noted.
“This was a horrifying scenario and if the police had not reached the scene when they did and then put themselves at risk to rescue the woman, she would almost certainly have drowned. They did a magnificent job in very difficult circumstances,” he remarked. Commending their work together, he added, “They showed some superb teamwork and as a result, the woman was saved. They all richly deserve the awards they are to receive.” The force's Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray said, "We’re really pleased officers were able to act so swiftly and rescue her before the vehicle sank too far under the water. She wasn't injured during the incident.”