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Officers honoured for bravery after Harrogate railway crash

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 14:48

PC Alex McGee and PC Mike Halstead.

Three North Yorkshire Police officers have been recognised for their bravery after risking their own lives to try to save a driver following a horror crash in Harrogate.

The officers were honoured for their actions after a vehicle left York Place and came to rest upside down on the railway line below in July 2025.

PC Mike Halstead was the first officer at the scene and found the vehicle at the bottom of a steep, overgrown embankment.

Working with firefighters, officers set up spotters along the railway to watch for approaching trains before deciding to enter the live railway line to reach the trapped driver.

PCs Alex McGee and Anthony Grant-Marston also attended and provided Tactical Medical support.

Together with fire crews, the officers freed the driver from the vehicle and carried them up the embankment towards The Stray, where CPR and defibrillator treatment was carried out before ambulance crews arrived.

Despite the efforts of all emergency services involved, the driver sadly died.

The officers have now been recognised for their professionalism, teamwork and willingness to put themselves in danger in an attempt to save a life.

North Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Rob Bowles said:

“The selfless actions of Mike Halstead, Alex McGee, and Ant Grant-Marston were in the best traditions of British Policing.

"They put their lives at risk, going onto the railways tracks, to try to save the life of a member of the public.

"They are a credit to North Yorkshire Police”.

Chief Constable Tim Forber said:

“The actions of PC Mike Halstead, PC Alex McGee and PC Anthony Grant-Marston, exemplify the very best of policing in our country.

"They showed remarkable courage, professionalism, and dedication in what was undoubtedly a dangerous and unpredictable situation.

“Their willingness to put themselves in harm's way to help someone in need reflects the highest standard of our service to the community and the ideals of our force as a whole.

"I am immensely proud of their actions and delighted to see their bravery recognised through this nomination.”

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