A heroic duo who risked their lives to stop a wrong-way driver on a busy motorway have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025. 

On 30 July 2024, West Mercia Police received a flurry of frantic reports of a car travelling at highspeed on the wrong side of the M5.  

Within minutes the force control room deployed multiple units to the M5 to put a closure in place and to attempt to stop the driver who was having a mental health crisis.  

PS Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth were deployed to conduct the closure, bringing four lanes of the southbound carriageway to a halt with a large buffer zone between the wrong way driver and innocent members of the public.  

The other units deployed headed southbound to intercept the driver and attempted to stop them. The first unit came across the vehicle but it was travelling too quickly to stop. The wrong way driver then met a second traffic unit who attempted to block their path.  

The driver swerved to avoid the officers at speeds of over 80mph. With the driver having evaded the other deployed units, PS Singh and PC Hegenbarth were left as the last remaining vehicle between the speeding driver in crisis, four lanes of stationary vehicles and hundreds of members of the public.  

Without hesitating, the officers drove toward the subject vehicle and made tactical contact, ramming it into the central reservation and preventing a major collision with other motorists. The subject vehicle hit the officers’ head on at 80mph and came to rest just feet away other vehicles. 

PS Singh and PC Hegenbarth made a split-second decision that saved countless lives. As the last resort they were left with the harrowing decision to put themselves in grave danger to intercept the vehicle with their own, preventing a devastating collision.  

The impact of the collision resulted in significant injuries for both officers, including whiplash, concussion, and abdominal bruising. 

Reflecting on their actions, senior officers and colleagues praised their courage. A fellow officer remarked: 

"In my many years as a police officer, this was, without a doubt, the bravest thing I have ever witnessed. PS Singh and PC Hegenbarth’s willingness to sacrifice their own safety to protect the public serves as an inspiration to all, highlighting the incredible dedication of those who serve.” 

Speaking on behalf of West Mercia Police Federation, Pete Nightingale said: “I think I speak for everyone when I say I am still completely amazed by what Kully and Stacey did last July. 

“The way they took control of such a critical situation and managed to act so decisively was incredible – they quite literally, faced danger head-on, when all their instincts would have been telling them to do the opposite. 

“Their courage, quick thinking and determination makes them heroes, in my view, as they saved potentially multiple lives on the motorway that day. 

“I want to congratulate Kully and Stacey on the Force award they have already received, and wish them all the best for this year's national Police Bravery Awards – they deserve all of the attention they can get.” 

Chief Constable Richard Cooper said: “We are immensely proud of PC Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth. To put your own life in danger to protect others is heroic. 

“Police officers often face challenging situations whilst on duty, but that day Kully and Stacey were faced with making a split-second decision that could have saved many lives. It was immensely brave, and a highly selfless act and they deserve every recognition they receive.  

“We wish them well at this year's national Police Bravery Awards”.