Bravery on the M5: officers’ heroic actions earn them national recognition

8 May 2025

Two courageous cops who risked their lives to stop a car driving the wrong way down the M5 motorway have spoken of their pride after being nominated for a national Police Bravery Award.

After receiving a Force award earlier this year for their heroic actions, Sergeant Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth are now set for wider recognition in the summer.

The traffic cops were on patrol last July when they were diverted to respond to reports of a vehicle travelling the wrong way along the southbound carriageway. More than 20 calls had come into the control room, and it was clear lives were at risk.

“It was a pretty regular day up until this point - one I wasn’t even supposed to be working,” said Kully.

 

Sergeant Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth.

 

“I was on a cover shift, getting through routine jobs and driving on patrol with Stacey in the passenger seat when we were alerted to what was going on. I could hear the concern in the voice of the intelligence officer as she gave details of what she had seen.”

Racing to the scene, the pair helped implement a rolling road closure just after Junction 5, while colleagues moved ahead into the sterile area created to try to intercept the vehicle.

But the car, being driven recklessly at speed, made it past the front line of officers, putting Kully and Stacey in the direct path as the final barrier.

“I remember that feeling of sickness in my stomach as we waited, knowing what we had to do,” Stacey recalled.

Suspect

“As the car approached, I began to move our car horizontally across the carriageway and I just had to stay focused on what I would do when the suspect arrived,” said Kully.

“I just had to do - not think. There was public traffic just a few metres behind us, and I knew if I thought rather than did, people would get hurt.”

The impact was near head-on, targeted toward the driver’s side in a calculated manoeuvre to disable the vehicle by ‘taking out one of the driving wheels’.

It was not only an act of incredible courage and skill, but also one of trust - ​​particularly for Stacey, who had to put all her faith in Kully’s ultimate judgement behind the wheel.

Stacey said: “I think I lost consciousness for a few seconds, and by the time I came around, Kully had already left our car. By the time I got out, the offender was in handcuffs.”

Both officers were taken to Worcester Hospital, where Stacey was treated for concussion, severe whiplash, and abdominal bruising. Kully also sustained severe whiplash and later received further treatment at Flint House.

Proud

Thankfully, both have since made a full recovery.

Reflecting on the event, Stacey said she felt ‘really proud of the job we had done’.

Kully added: “It was something I just had to do - I knew someone could have died if I hadn’t - and I would do the same again without a second’s thought, if I had to.”

Their actions were formally recognised at the Force’s Quality Policing Awards in January where they received the bravery award sponsored by West Mercia Police Federation.

Stacey said: “I just felt very privileged to be there and to win the award, especially when there are so many other officers deserving of it too.”

“To attend the evening with my wife was very special,” Kully added. “She’s had to live through this, receiving a call that day to find out I had been involved in a collision, without knowing much else, including what condition I’d be coming home to her and our son in.”

Bravery awards

Now, the courageous duo will represent West Mercia Police at the national Police Bravery Awards later this year in London.

“Whether we win or not, the opportunity to represent West Mercia will be a massive honour,” said Stacey.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Steve Butler was full of praise for the officers: “I think I speak for everyone when I say I am still completely amazed by what Kully and Stacey did last summer.

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

“Their courage, quick thinking and determination make 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 the national Bravery Awards – they deserve all the fuss and attention that is coming their way.”

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