A hero member of the public has been awarded for saving a coach full of travellers on the M25 after the driver passed out and died. Just before 9am on September 4 2022, the driver of a Mercedes-Benz coach had a medical episode at the wheel while driving 25 American exchange students to their London accommodation from Buckinghamshire.
Hero Marie Gumpert - the student liaison officer - clocked the unconscious driver and took control of the steering wheel, bringing the coach to a safe stop. The coach veered across three lanes of traffic before hitting the central reservation and stopping on the hard shoulder.
Six passengers on the coach, four women in their late teens and two teenage girls, suffered minor injuries from the windows smashing during the impact with the central reservation, but did not require hospital treatment.
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Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg presented Marie Gumpert with a commendation for her act of heroism. “Receiving the chief constable's commendation is an overwhelming honour,” said Marie
“This award will forever remind me of the collective strength displayed during such a critical moment as well as the impact we can have when we decide to take action in the face of danger.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this award, grateful for the support of the community, and inspired by the resilience of the passengers.
“I extend my profound gratitude not only for the recognition but even more so for the lives saved that day, made possible with the invaluable assistance of Thames Valley Police during and following the accident.”
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Bettington, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “There is no doubt that Marie’s quick thinking, actions and intervention, along with other passengers, directly contributed to the safe conclusion of this awful incident. If Marie had not done what she did, I have no doubt in my mind that there would have been multiple casualties or worse. Her actions were selfless and commendable.
“Policing and other emergency services cannot function well without the support of the public. I have no doubt Marie protected all those on board from serious harm.
“Thames Valley Police is incredibly grateful for what Marie did and I thank her for her support and for her public service. Our thoughts also remain with the driver’s family.”
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