Drainage engineers go to aid of injured motorist

Two Lanes Group drainage engineers gave first aid to a motorist they found next to his overturned car on the M5 motorway in Devon.

They used bandages from their first aid kit to staunch the flow of blood from a head wound of the man as he lay beside the smoking wreckage of his car.

Brendan Parsons and Jack Dickerson, based at the Lanes Plymouth depot, were praised by police who arrived at the scene minutes later.

The incident happened on the southbound carriageway of the M5 near Exeter, at the point where it splits to become the A38 to Plymouth and the A30 to Okehampton.

Jet Vac Engineer Brendan said: “It was about 1am, and we had been returning from cleaning the car park gullies at a supermarket in Barnstaple.

“As we reached the end of the M5 we saw the car on its side on the hard shoulder, and I just spotted out of the corner of my eye someone lying next to the car.

“We pulled over to a safe area and put all our hazard and yellow beacons on to warn other motorists, then ran back to see how we could help.

“The car was very badly damaged, with its windscreen popped out, and smoking and steaming.

“There was a lady standing by the road who appeared to be in shock, and a man lying on the ground, with his feet still in the car.

“There was blood pouring out of a bad cut on his head.

“Jack went back to get our first aid kit, then I used bandages to put pressure on the head wound to control the bleeding, while Jack comforted the lady.”

They also moved the man carefully away from the car, because they feared it might fall on top of him.

Brendon explained: “He was slurring his words and trying to get up, so he clearly had some mobility.

“Once we had helped him move to a safer location we got him to stay down and tried to keep him calm.”

The police, called by another motorist at the scene, arrived after about five minutes and took control of the situation.

Brendan said: “They thanked us for our help, and we were able to get on our way. It was a strange experience to be suddenly faced by a serious accident.

“But we have first aid training and our job teaches you to be resourceful and assertive, so we got on with what we had to do. We were glad to help.”

Lanes Plymouth Regional Manager Wayne Clemens said: “Brendan and Jack took exactly the right steps to help this man and woman, and keep other road users safe.

“We’re very impressed and proud of their actions.”