Former Nottinghamshire Police sergeant launches fundraising page for officer seriously injured saving another man’s life in railway incident at Balderton

An ex-policeman has started a fundraiser for the officer severely injured while saving a member of the public on the railway this week.

Ex-Nottinghamshire Police sergeant Dan Fletcher said: “There but for the Grace of God go we.”

“This officer was badly injured saving the life of another person.

“Being ex-job, and an ex-sergeant like him, and with it happening less than a mile from my back garden, I felt compelled to do something.

“My thoughts were immediately with the officer, his family, and his colleagues. He’s risked his life to save the life of a person and paid the heaviest of prices. Putting your life at risk for a member of the public is what you have to do whether you’re a police officer, in the fire service or a paramedic.

The page went live this morning and has already achieved over £7,000 of a £50,000 target through 450 supporters.

The money will be given to the officer and his family to help with his rehabilitation.

“I am in the motor trade and my initial thought was in providing any specialist adapted vehicle that he and his family might require,” said Mr Fletcher: “But, speaking to former colleagues, it seems he may be in hospital for some time, so the money will help ease the financial burden during his rehabilitation.”

Mr Fletcher said that he was alerted to an incident by the wailing of sirens as the emergency services made their way to the level crossing at Bulpit Lane at Balderton around 7pm on Thursday, and then the trains stopped running.

“My thoughts were that this doesn’t sound good,” he said.

“My experience as a police officer and living locally was that something serious would have happened on the railway.

“I was devastated when I heard what had happened. I and my former colleagues have all experienced these kind of situations whether it be on the railway or the roads. This individual was doing what any one of us would have done.

“I don’t know if he’s local, but he is a cop for Newark and Balderton working in our community to keep us safe and he, like all responders, deserves our thanks and support.

“Their courage is second to none.

“He has a family, just as many of us do. We go out to work never knowing what the shift will bring. This money will be available to his family for whatever it is that they may require.”

The man the officer saved was found to have sustained non-life-threatening electrocution injuries while the officer’s injuries were said to be life-changing.

The message on the fundraising pade reads: “This is an appeal to the community in order to assist the injured police officer and his family following a terrible ordeal whereby an officer has sustained life altering injuries in the line of duty whilst saving the life of another individual.

“This is the epitome of policing bravery.

“The long term outcome for the officer and his family and rehabilitation moving forward is going to be difficult and challenging.

“This fund will hopefully assist in many areas of their lives which they will now have to adapt and adjust considerably.

“Please help us help this brave selfless officer and his family. Give what you can.”