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Three officers who rescued a man from a burning motorcycle have won South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards.

In December 2023, PC Wes Turner (pictured left) of the Roads Policing Proactive Team was on patrol in Doncaster when he suddenly saw a motorcycle that he believed had an altered numberplate and could be stolen.

The officer tried to stop the motorcycle, but the rider sped off and a pursuit started, travelling through rural roads and onto the A1. Roads policing officer PC Michael Ramsden and dog handler PC Matt Aris (pictured centre) then joined the pursuit to assist their colleague.

PC Turner continued the story: “As the suspect approached a red light, I backed off from him, gave him plenty of distance and observed as an Audi came from the near side of a junction, and the motorcyclist collided with the vehicle. Almost immediately, the fuel tank ruptured, the fuel went all over the rider and he went up in flames.”

PC Ramsden said: “It was almost like slow motion, because you could see what was going to happen, but you couldn’t do anything about it. But the minute that happened, we set to work, and tried to put out the fire.”

PC Turner recalled: “I ran straight towards him. He was on the ground, still effectively sat on the bike, but on his side, on fire. I instinctively reached forward and grabbed him, burnt my hands in the process, and pulled him away. I took my jacket off and started trying to smother the flames.”

PC Ramsden grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of his vehicle and doused the flames, and PC Aris ran over with his first aid kit.

PC Aris said: “We, as dog handlers, are trained in a more advanced level of first aid, but nothing will prepare you for the injuries that this lad had sustained as a result of being completely engulfed in flames. Our job as police officers is to preserve life, and everything else that has happened before that is almost null and void at that point – it’s just about giving the best possible treatment and trying to save this kid's life.”

The officers continued to provide first aid until the ambulance service arrived and took the injured man to hospital, where he received treatment for several months before returning home. Despite having significant burns, he has made a remarkable recovery.

The IOPC’s investigation found that the officers had carried out a well-managed police pursuit, with no learning identified.

PC Turner suffered burns to his hands, and all three officers were affected psychologically.

PC Turner said: “Between the three of us, we've got over 60 years of policing experience, and I think there are certain jobs in your career where you go home and you think, ‘I've just been involved in something that you could see in a film.’ Once the adrenaline has worn off and you’re sitting at home with a cup of tea, you think, ‘Wow, what have I just had to deal with?’.

PC Ramsden explained: “It's camaraderie, we're a team, and although Matt's on the dog section, we work together on a regular basis and, ultimately, we're there to help people. That's our main priority, to save life and limb. So, when you do that, it’s traumatic and it’s stressful, but it is a good feeling.”

When PC Aris heard they were receiving Bravery Awards, he said: “That night we all did different things, and I appreciate the recognition that I get. However, that guy would have died there and then had Wes not put his own health at risk in order to pull him out of the flames. Mike and I had a huge involvement in his immediate treatment, but Wes put his hands into that fire.”

PC Turner said: “It is a team effort and, regardless of who was in the lead police car, they'd have done exactly the same. I'm fortunate to work with good people like this.”

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: “These three officers carried out an extraordinary act of bravery, going above and beyond to save a man’s life while putting their own lives in danger.

"Pulling him out of a fire, using clothes to smother the flames and providing first aid – all these actions saved this person’s life and minimised their lifelong injuries. We are immensely proud of them.”

PC Ramsden, PC Turner and PC Aris will attend the South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards 2026 on Thursday 21 May.

At the event an overall winner will be announced who will travel to London for the National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July.

The South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards are in association with the National Police Healthcare Scheme.

Also sponsoring the Awards are Uniform Mortgages, Philip Williams, Niche, Police Mortgages, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Police Friendly, Irwin Mitchell, Accord, Far and Wide Mortgages, No1 CopperPot, Taylor Law and the South Yorkshire Police Group Insurance Scheme.