Seriously ill motorist thanks Kent Police for lifesaving actions

A motorcyclist has credited Kent Police with saving his life after a collision left him hidden from view and in need of urgent medical attention.

Retired IT worker Alan Wright, 75, was riding his three-wheeled scooter on the A2 near Dover when he lost control and left the carriageway at around 7.20pm on Tuesday 16 August 2022.

He then fell and was trapped beneath the bike, causing him to suffer severe nausea and breathing difficulties that he later discovered was an early sign of heart failure. He was also covered by thick undergrowth that prevented any other passing motorists from spotting him in trouble.

Bad situation

Mr Wright, who lives in Ripley, Derbyshire, and was returning from a holiday in France, said:

‘I was in a very bad situation. I couldn’t get up or see the road, there were no houses in sight and nobody was around to help me.

‘I was drifting in and out of consciousness and I felt like my heart was on the verge of giving out. I was very concerned that I might be about to die.’

Fortunately Mr Wright was able to call 999 and speak to a Kent Police call handler, who immediately arranged for officers to attend the general area of where Mr Wright thought he was whilst also attempting to gain a more precise GPS location from his mobile phone.

The officers who attended also switched on their sirens whilst they searched for Mr Wright in the hope he would hear them as they drove past.

Fortunately he did and told the call-handler, who stayed on the phone with Mr Wright for around 45 minutes. PC Andy Green from the Roads Policing Unit then stopped his vehicle and found the seriously unwell motorist near the side of the road between Coldred and Lydden.

Full recovery

Mr Wright said:

‘If it were not for PC Green having my call patched through to his radio I probably would not have been found. That is what saved my life.

‘An ambulance crew arrived shortly afterwards and I was deemed to be in real danger of heart failure. I was rushed to hospital where they managed to get my heartbeat back to normal and I have now made a full recovery, but I could have quite easily died by that roadside.

‘It is full credit to Kent Police and the medical professionals who treated me that I am alive to tell the story today.’

PC Green said:

‘Protecting life is the top priority for every police officer and I am delighted Mr Wright has now made a full recovery after suffering such a serious incident.

‘Collisions on the road are normally very easy to spot and reported by numerous witnesses, but on this occasion there was nobody who could help us find Mr Wright apart from himself. Fortunately he was able to listen out for our sirens despite being in a very serious condition indeed.’