WHEN a drunk driver's car was teetering on the edge of a ditch after a crash, a quick-thinking police officer and barmaid pulled off an Italian Job-style rescue.

Sergeant Lewis Hurford-John was first on scene of the crash in Woodsetton's Bramford Estate last November, when a Ford Focus careered off Park Road, skidded across a field, and came to rest with its rear end hanging over an embankment.

He dragged a male passenger − thrown into the ditch under the perilously placed car − to safety while Samantha Holland, who works behind the bar at the nearby Bramford Arms, leapt on the bonnet to act as a counter-balance to prevent it plunging into the trench.

Sgt Hurford-John and Samantha teamed up again at a special awards ceremony last week where they were presented with a Chief Constable’s Award and Good Citizen’s Award, respectively, by Chief Const Chris Sims in recognition of their heroic actions.

“The car was literally rocking ready to topple over - then we spotted a man in the brook directly underneath the vehicle," said Sgt Hurford-John.

"He was clearly drunk and dazed − he wasn’t capable of moving − so I ran down and dragged him out of the way.

“The car could have gone over at any moment but Samantha did a great job instinctively hopping on the bonnet to keep the front wheels on the ground."

He continued: “Looking back there was an element of the Italian Job but the reality is the man needed urgent help to prevent him being badly injured.

"That’s why we do this job, to help people when they need it most."

Samantha, aged 25 and from Brierley Hill, added: “I heard the commotion and went out to see if I could help.

"The car was already over the cut with its front wheels lifting off the ground. The driver was a slight woman and her weight alone wasn’t enough to keep it grounded.

“I sat on the bonnet for about 20 minutes before the fire brigade attached ropes to the car and dragged it away from the cut.

"It was a really nice surprise to get a police award."

A 47-year-old woman from Bushbury later admitted drink driving in court − having blown more than twice the legal limit − and was banned from driving for 20 months and had to pay £215 in fines and court costs.