Motorists made desperate attempts to save a police officer trapped in a burning car which had flipped onto its roof following a crash on the M6, an inquest heard. PC Nick Dumphreys, 47, died in a crash near Carlisle in January 2020, LancsLive reports.
An inquest, due to last up to five days, is taking place at Cumbria House and heard that the crash happened at around 2pm. Safety issues relating to BMW cars used by Cumbria Police have been examined as part of the inquest.
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PC Dumphreys, 47, was driving a BMW 330 patrol car southbound on the motorway when the crash occurred, with no other vehicles involved. The inquest has heard evidence from witnesses who attempted to help rescue the officer from his car.
These included an off duty nurse and Hubert Sapieha who was driving past with his wife and children in the car. As some people stood and filmed the wreckage, Mr Sapieha initially assumed the officer must have been standing “somewhere safe”.
First noticing the damaged roof, he then realised somebody was inside the car and rushed to grab a fire extinguisher from the boot of his own car. Ignoring fears for his own safety, he attempted to use the extinguisher before opening the door and managing to release PC Dumphrey’s seatbelt.
With the officer still unresponsive, Mr Sapieha and another woman helped drag him from the car before a paramedic arrived and took over the first aid efforts. An officer involved in the response told the inquest that it took around 15 minutes for the motorway to be fully closed following the collision.
Much of the focus of days two and three of the inquest has related to safety issues of the BMW being used in Cumbria Police ’s fleet as well as the history of the specific vehicle being driven by PC Dumphreys, in particular the unusually high number of times it had required oil top ups. Questions have been raised over the frequency with which the vehicles should be serviced, how idling time affects this frequency, and the systems used to record and share problems affecting the model.
Emotional tributes were paid to the former officer and loving dad and wife following his death. In a joint statement, his family said: “Nick was a kind and loving husband and father. He was a larger than life character who loved his job and adored his children. His passing will leave an enormous hole in all our hearts.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, also paid tribute. He said: “I know that Nick was a most professional and dedicated officer who was totally committed to protect and serve the public.
“My first thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences are with Nick’s wife, children, friends and colleagues. Nick died in the line of duty doing the job at which he excelled, he will be most sadly missed.”
The inquest is due to continue for the rest of the week.
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