A heroic police officer who helped prevent a man from bleeding to death has been handed a top award.

Dog handler PC Luke Pitchford is one of a number of officers to be given a commendation by Essex Police’s Chief Con Ben-Julian Harrington for his selfless response to an emergency incident.

PC Pitchford was called for back-up to an incident at Basildon Hospital where an agitated man was refusing all forms of medical treatment for a serious head injury and was at risk of bleeding to death.

He became aggressive and spat a mouthful of blood into PC Pitchford’s face and eyes.

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Despite being covered in blood, the officer bravely tackled the man to the floor, safely detaining him and preventing colleagues from also becoming contaminated with the man’s blood.

PC Pitchford’s actions enabled the man to be taken back into hospital for emergency care.

Afterwards, PC Pitchford received a series of treatments because he was exposed to the man’s blood.

Looking back on the incident which happened in September 2016, he said: “The doctor told us the man would bleed to death if we didn’t manage to stop him leaving.

“Thankfully he survived.

“I know I put myself at risk to save him from significant harm but it was worth it to save his life.”

A number of other officers have also been given commendations for their heroic actions.

Echo: SC Mark LaneSC Mark Lane

Off-duty Basildon Special Constable Mark Lane was another to be handed the award.

SC Lane, who also works as a communications officer, drove past a car which had crashed into a stationary lorry on the A127 in February 2020.

He turned his vehicle round as soon as he could and returned to the scene, where he found the car driver was trapped underneath the lorry with serious injuries.

SC Lane helped a paramedic who arrived at the scene at the same time he did until more help arrived. Sadly, the man died in hospital the following day.

SC Lane said: “I was with my mum on my way home from friends when I noticed that a car had gone under the back of a lorry.

"We turned round and got back to the scene at the same time as a solo paramedic. The man was unconscious but breathing.

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“My training as a special helped. I took control of the scene as the paramedic had to get his kit ready.

“I and a couple of other people there tried to get the driver out of the car and then I helped the paramedic with first aid until more emergency services personnel arrived and took him to hospital.

“At least his family were able to say goodbye. I was glad I could help.”