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 being nominated for a national Police Bravery Award.
After receiving an internal West Mercia Police award earlier this year for their heroic actions, Sergeant Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth are now set for wider recognition in the summer.
The traffic cops were on patrol last July when they were diverted to respond to reports of a vehicle travelling the wrong way along the southbound carriageway.
More than 20 calls had come into the control room, and it was clear lives were at risk.
“I could hear the concern in the voice of the intelligence officer as she gave details of what she had seen,” said Kully.
Racing to the scene, the pair helped implement a rolling road closure just after Junction 5, while colleagues moved ahead into the sterile area created to try to intercept the vehicle.
But the car, being driven recklessly at speed, made it past the front line of officers, putting Kully and Stacey in the direct path as the final barrier.
“I remember that feeling of sickness in my stomach as we waited, knowing what we had to do,” Stacey said.
Thinking on his feet, Kully began to move the patrol car horizontally across the carriageway. He said: “I just had to stay focused on what I would do when the suspect arrived.
“I just had to do – not think. There was public traffic just a few metres behind us, and I knew if I thought rather than did, people would get hurt.”
The impact was near head-on, targeted toward the driver’s side in a calculated manoeuvre to disable the vehicle by ‘taking out one of the driving wheels’.
Stacey said: “I think I lost consciousness for a few seconds, and by the time I came around, Kully had already left our car. By the time I got out, the offender was in handcuffs.”
Both officers were taken to Worcester Hospital, where Stacey was treated for concussion, severe whiplash, and abdominal bruising. Kully also sustained severe whiplash and later received further treatment at Flint House.
Thankfully, both have since made a full recovery. Reflecting on the event, Stacey said she felt ‘really proud of the job we had done’.
Kully added: “It was something I just had to do – I knew someone could have died if I hadn’t – and I would do the same again without a second’s thought, if I had to.”
Their actions were formally recognised at the Force’s Quality Policing Awards in January where they received the bravery award sponsored by West Mercia Police Federation.
The pair described the award recognition as ‘very special’ and a ‘privilege’.
Now, the courageous duo say it will be an honour to represent West Mercia Police at the national Police Bravery Awards later this year in London.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Steve Butler was full of praise for the officers: “I think I speak for everyone when I say I am still completely amazed by what Kully and Stacey did last summer.
