Soldier who came to sick driver's aid commended

A soldier who stopped to help a woman who was seriously ill in her car has said he "really didn't expect" to receive a commendation from his commander.

Pte Dan Montgomery was awarded the Catterick Garrison Commander's Commendation for going to the aid of the stricken driver, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

After spotting the woman while driving between camps, he called the emergency services, contacted her family, moved her off the busy road and stayed with her for more than two hours until paramedics arrived.

The 33-year-old, from Rotherham, said: "If you're in a position and are able to help somebody, you should. If everybody helped each other a bit more, the world would be a better place."

He added: "I did it because I wanted to help her, not because I wanted the recognition.

"I appreciated being noticed by the commander and bringing the Army into a good light, but I really didn't expect to get a commendation."

Montgomery first saw the woman parked up with her hazard lights on.

She told him she was fine when he stopped to check on her, so he drove on, but when he passed again later, he saw she was still parked in the same place and was now in severe distress.

He said: "I think in the Army we have a moral obligation to stop and help people and ask if they're OK.

"The training does take over. It prepared me to manage so many things at once while under pressure and keep calm in the chaos."

A few days later, the woman thanked him over a coffee, the MoD said.

An Army spokesperson said Montgomery's actions had "demonstrated the Army's core values through his professionalism, compassion and willingness to act when someone needed help".

Montgomery serves in the Military Provost Guard Service, which provides armed security for military bases across Great Britain.

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