Sandwell PC who saved women hit by car for bravery award

A police officer has been nominated for a national bravery award for saving two women who were trapped under a car that had gone into reverse in a pub car park.

PC Glenn Brabham, 42, did not know if the elderly women were alive when he arrived at the Dovecote Pub in West Bromwich last October.

He crawled under the unstable Vauxhall Insignia and spent time talking and reassuring them before moving them to safety.

“It feels surreal to me that my work will be recognized nationally,” he said. “I’m absolutely over the moon.”

PC Brabham, a firearms officer, described how the vehicle was blocked on three sides, making it difficult to remove the women, aged 81 and 76.

The fire service carefully picked him up as he huddled under him and spent a few minutes checking the condition of the pair before pulling them to safety.

The women were taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries, but both have since been discharged and are recovering, PC Brabham said.

He added: “At their age to survive is really incredible. The injuries they received were quite horrific. I was extremely worried for both of them.”

He said his actions were “just instinct”.

“My first reaction would be to help anyone in such a dangerous situation, not least the elderly,” he added.

“I thought about my wife’s daughters and the fact that the two women would probably be grandmothers themselves.”

The officer won a West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Award for the Sandwell area in January and was also named overall winner at the West Midlands Police Bravery Awards.

Now his rescue will go up against other outstanding acts from across the country at the National Police Courage Awards in July.

Sup. Cllr Sarah Burton from West Midlands Police said she was proud his courage and bravery had been recognised.

“Without hesitation, he put himself in danger to save the lives of two members of the public who were trapped and immobile under the vehicle,” she added.