The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A man has thanked emergency services for saving his life after his car ended up upside down in a Pinchbeck ditch in the early hours of this morning (Monday December 7).
Dave Anthony escaped without injury after his car ended up in the icy water at the side of Cherry Holt Lane at 4.52am this morning.
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.
Spalding Fire Crew attended the scene and used one short extension ladder to assist.
Paramedics also assisted though thankfully Mr Anthony was uninjured.
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.”
