Hero award for PC who saved man from burning car

A Surrey Police officer who pulled an unconscious driver from a burning car moments before it exploded has won a police bravery award for his actions.

PC Jay Wakefield was declared South East regional winner at the Police Federation Bravery Awards.

After witnessing a head-on crash on the A281 between a car and a skip lorry on 27 June 2025, Wakefield fought flames and smoke to pull the driver of the car to safety before coordinating road closures and the air ambulance arrival.

On receiving the award, he said: "There have been so many officers doing so many things day to day and just get on with it. When you have something like this, it's just amazing."

Surrey Police Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said his colleagues "could not be more proud of him".

The dramatic rescue unfolded when the officer saw the car rebound across the carriageway and on to the verge on impact, where it burst into flames.

The driver was trapped and unresponsive inside and the door was jammed due to the collision, so the officer accessed the car by forcing the door on the passenger side.

He fought intense heat and smoke to release the driver's seatbelt and dragged him out to safety as the flames grew.

When a nurse on the scene took over, Wakefield coordinated road closures and directed responding emergency services, including the air ambulance arrival.

Both drivers were hospitalised but survived the crash.

De Meyer said: "Had it not been for the courage of PC Wakefield, a life would have been lost.

"His bravery, skill and composure exemplified the best of policing. Surrey Police could not be more proud of him."

The Police Federation's Tiff Lynch said: "I have no doubt that, as with nominees in each of the previous 30 years, if asked about the circumstances that led to their nomination, they would say they were simply doing their job – that their actions were nothing special.

"Well, it is not just part of the job. The courage shown, the split-second decisions made, and the willingness to put themselves in harm's way for others go far beyond what most people are ever asked to do."

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