Bravery Award nominee says rescuing driver from car fire was ‘why I joined the police'

19 May 2025

A courageous Federation member who helped a man escape a burning car seconds before it was engulfed in flames has shared his delight at receiving a national Police Bravery Award nomination.

PC Jonathan Tatam has been recognised for his courageous actions at the scene of a serious traffic incident last August.

On a single-lane road outside of Carmarthen, a tractor and a car were involved in a head-on collision, before a second car soon followed into the crash.

While most occupants managed to escape the wreckage, the original car was sandwiched in between the two other vehicles, with its driver trapped inside as it was set alight.

 

PC Jonathan Tatam.

 

Responding to the accident alongside colleague PC Catrin Jones, Jonathan says he saw billowing smoke long before the pile-up itself as he approached. 

“I remember thinking, ‘wow, the fire is already that big’. I knew I was about to deal with something significant,” he recalled.

“When we arrived, it became apparent what was keeping the man trapped was his leg, which was stuck in something at the front of the car.

“The front was also the direction the fire was coming in from – there were flames on the dashboard, and the victim’s upper body was on the back seats, so it was obviously only a matter of time until they would reach him.

Fire

“His friends who he had been travelling with were standing around us, pleading for us to do something – and whatever that was going to be, it needed to happen quickly.”

After initial attempts to free the man had failed, Jonathan rushed back to his police car in the hope that there would be a fire extinguisher stored in the back.

Thankfully, there was, and the 33-year-old immediately put it to work, targeting the base of the fire within the burning car.

While this did drown some flames out, many soon rekindled, and with the extinguisher quickly emptying, time and options were running out.

Jonathan persisted, however, and his efforts were allowing the man, who was also contending with a significant leg injury from the impact of the crash, moments of temporary respite from the heat and panic.

Suddenly, he was able to compose himself long enough to dislodge his leg, before fleeing the vehicle and being taken to safety.

Cool head

“To be totally honest, I wasn’t far away from having to leave him there. I’d heard a few pops and bangs and I knew the time was coming for the area to be cleared, before a proper explosion happened and the fire became a threat to everyone, rather than just one person," continued Jonathan.

“And no more than 30 seconds later, that’s exactly what happened.

“I’m just so thankful the man was able to get out of the car. It was hard enough for me to keep a cool head, so I can’t imagine what it took for him to do the same.

“The situation was very time-critical and high-pressure, but I just went into rescue mode, because I knew I had to do everything to try and save his life.”

With danger still present, Jonathan continued to manage the scene – which the fire service eventually reached a few minutes afterwards – and gave brief first aid alongside an off-duty nurse to the victim before he was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Here, he received treatment for multiple life-threatening injuries, including a broken femur and third-degree burns, requiring skin grafts, which he continues to recover from.

A cop of three years in Dyfed Powys Police, Jonathan will now be representing the Force at the 2025 national Police Bravery Awards, which are set to be held in July.

Proud moment

“I am really pleased about my nomination, I must admit. It will be a very proud and surreal moment to be the only officer from our force up for an award,” he said.

“While I would never want to see a member of the public in that sort of danger, these situations are where you can really show your dedication. They’re part of the reason I joined the police.”

Jonathan went on to pay tribute to the ‘absolutely vital’ work of Catrin on the day, who he says he will attend the Bravery Awards ceremony with.

Branch chair Delme Rees offered his own praise for Jonathan, saying: “We couldn’t be any prouder of Jonathan for the excellent policing he displayed in this rapidly deteriorating incident.

“With the fire spreading and the person inside the car becoming more desperate all the time, there is no doubt his actions rescued the victim from an even worse outcome, especially when you consider the injuries that were sustained.

“And there is also no doubt he is absolutely deserving of his nomination. I’d like to wish him all the best for the Bravery Awards, where I’m sure he’ll have a great time being celebrated for the outstanding officer he is.”

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