A POLICE officer who saved the life of a woman from the path of a lorry on the M62 is set to be awarded for his bravery. 

Constable Ian Blanchard from the Roads Policing Operations Division rescued the woman from taking her own life. 

Later this month PC Blanchard will be recognised at the 21st Police Bravery Awards.

The awards honour and recognise police officers who performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

In July 2015, PC Blanchard was on patrol on the motorway travelling towards Liverpool between junction 10 at Croft Interchange and junction nine at Winwick when he spotted a woman standing near to the central reservation.

The officer activated his emergency lights and stopped his vehicle close to where the woman was. 

On seeing the police car, the woman clambered over the barrier and walked across the three lanes of traffic on the opposite side of the motorway. 

PC Blanchard leapt from his car, climbed over the central reservation and, spotting a gap in the oncoming traffic, ran across the road after her. 

The officer managed to reach the woman and pull her from the path of an HGV and onto the hard shoulder just seconds before impact. 

The woman was later taken to hospital for care and support.

Simon Roberts, chairman of Cheshire Police Federation, said: “The woman would have undoubtedly suffered fatal injuries. 

"PC Blanchard’s quick thinking and self-less bravery in very dangerous circumstances saved her life.”