Police save life of HGV driver after he suffered heart attack and crashed on M60

Two police officers helped save the life of a HGV driver after he suffered a heart attack at the wheel of his lorry. Shane Sharkey, 49, lost control of his vehicle and collided with the concrete central reservation on the M60, after suffering a cardiac arrest. PC Chris Pixton and PC Patrick Geoghegan-Shaw were travelling along the motorway when they came across Mr Sharkey’s HGV on July 10.

The crash had caused extensive damage to his vehicle, resulting in its contents being emptied across both carriageways. PC Pixton pulled an unconscious Mr Sharkey from the smoking wreckage and tried to revive him using a defibrilator. He and and a member of the public with first aid training performed CPR on the driver for at least 10 minutes.

PC Nicola Greehalgh attended the hospital to get updates on the victim and supported the victim’s partner (Image: GMP)

Mr Sharkey was taken to Salford Royal Hospital in a critical condition, and is now said to be making a steady recovery.

A third GMP officer, PC Nicola Greenhalgh, attended the hospital to support Mr Sharkey’s partner, who due to Covid-19 had to attend the hospital alone. Superintendent Richard Timson, GMP’s South Manchester District Commander, said: “This was a true act of bravery. Both officers acted swiftly and their quick thinking saved the driver of the HGV.

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“PC Pixton has recently completed police medical training and PC Geoghegan-Shaw is currently part-way through the course.

“This incident highlights the importance of the skills officers learn on this course and I’m glad that they were both able to, in a high-pressured situation, but into practise what they had learnt. “I am proud of courage and professionalism they displayed.

The incident happened on the M60 near junction 13 for Swinton and Worlsey (Image: GMP Traffic)

“I would also like to thank the member of the public who also demonstrated great courage in assisting with giving Mr Sharkey first aid. “I am pleased to hear that Mr Sharkey is making a recovery with the support of his partner Debra who wrote a letter of thanks to all the officers involved expressing her gratitude for their actions.”

PC Chris Pixton, said: “I’m delighted that Shane is now on the road to recovery with the support of his partner.

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“Responding to the incident truly was a team effort between the brave members of public and all the emergency services, who came together to ensure the scene was made safe and administer life-saving care.

“This is no doubt one of those defining moments in my job that will stay with me and I’m thankful that we could make a difference.

“I am also thankful for the additional training of the medic role, as without it I wouldn’t have been able to act as I did, or have been in possession of the kit that I had.”