National Highways traffic officer honoured for bravery after rescuing crash victims from burning car

A National Highways traffic officer has been recognised for his bravery after helping rescue elderly crash victims from a burning vehicle on the A453 near Castle Donington.

Mike Riach, 28, was praised for remaining “calm and composed” while tackling flames from a hybrid vehicle and helping emergency crews safely evacuate casualties from the scene.

Riach came across the collision while travelling in a National Highways vehicle and stopped to assist despite not being on patrol at the time.

Two people had already escaped the vehicle, but an elderly man and woman remained trapped inside when Riach arrived at the incident.

While ambulance crews treated the casualties, Riach noticed flames beginning to emerge from the vehicle’s engine compartment and quickly sourced fire extinguishers from passing motorists in an attempt to contain the blaze.

He said the hybrid vehicle continued burning despite efforts to extinguish the fire and was eventually destroyed.

“If I hadn’t come along when I did then I’m not sure anyone would have spotted the fire until it was potentially too late,” he said.

“I was able to assess the whole scene while the ambulance team were treating the casualties.”

Riach, who is based at National Highways’ Shepshed outstation and previously worked in policing, said his training helped him remain focused during the incident.

National Highways head of service delivery Colin Lowther said the traffic officer’s actions may have prevented the situation from becoming significantly worse.

“Our traffic officers are on the frontline, around the clock, playing a vital role in helping people who use our roads and keeping them as safe as they can be,” he said.

“But Mike certainly went above and beyond when he came across this incident.”

Lowther added that Riach not only helped protect the casualties but also managed traffic around the incident to improve safety for other road users until additional emergency support arrived.

Riach was formally recognised at the Chief Constable’s Awards ceremony, where police officers, emergency service staff and members of the public were commended for acts of bravery and professionalism.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall described the award recipients as examples of exceptional courage and selflessness within their communities.

East Midlands Ambulance Service also praised Riach’s response, thanking him for helping crews gain “valuable time” to move casualties away from the burning vehicle while maintaining calm control of the scene throughout the incident.