Police praise Women's Trowbridge Rugby for lifesaving rescue
The force in Trowbridge have shared what happened following a one-vehicle crash last week near to the training ground
Last updated 16th Aug 2023
Police in Trowbridge have praised the local Women's Rugby Team - after what they did 'undoubtedly saved lives'.
It happened last week, at about 8:40pm, on Wednesday August 9, after a one-vehicle crash on the byway heading to Whaddon Lane - near to the Trowbridge Rugby Club.
At the time of the RTC, the team were training in the field, which is adjacent to the road.
When they heard the crash, the team climbed through the bushes - and even over a fence - and found a car that was on its side.
Inside the car, there were four people - which police say had suffered 'varying severity of injuries'.
Two women had managed to escape the car, but two men - the driver and the front passenger - were still in the car, with traumatic and life-threatening injuries.
Trowbridge Police have shared a huge 'THANK YOU' after sharing what happened next.
They said: "PC 2578 Ben AGATE was first on scene where he was greeted by a mass of rugby players, 15 – 20 people providing lifesaving first aid. There were 4 casualties, one with a catastrophic bleed to his arm. The team had organised themselves to triage the casualties.
"They had made a makeshift tourniquet from their rugby boot laces and players shirts to try and stem the catastrophic bleed.
"There were other players supporting the heads of the 2 other casualties in case of spinal injuries and providing reassurance. As the incident developed, players were cutting off clothes and applying emergency bandages etc to the casualties, helping out police officers on scene before the ambulances arrived.
"They have also used foot mats, bits of carpet, a duvet and other items thrown from the crash or from the car to support the casualties so they weren’t laid on the cold ground. They have also put spotters on the main road and on the Whaddon Lane to direct Emergency services.
"Once the ambulances arrived, the players remained, helping Ambulance transit kit to the scene, holding IV lines, torches and continuing their reassurance to the casualties, of which two of the casualties were just 16 years old.
"Without their assistance this could have very easily been a fatal. It was a fantastic effort by this rugby team in assisting.
"It was humbling seeing members of public coming together in order to help out fellow citizens.
"THANK YOU"