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Scouting hero averted disaster
A dad who called on a lifetime of Scouting know-how to prevent a horrific accident has been honoured with a bravery award.
Peter Cowe was travelling to work last November on the A167 flyover above the Felling by-pass when he spotted a driver in distress in the car behind.
The quick-thinking 38-year-old used his own car to bring the one behind to a halt and staged an amazing intervention to save the semi-conscious driver and his 11-year-old daughter.
"I heard a crash and saw the Toyota Landcruiser behind had bumped another car," said Peter, from Chester-le-Street.
"The driver of the Toyota seemed out of it and his daughter was screaming and crying.
"I decided to let the Toyota crash into the back of me to get it to a standstill.
"It was really difficult because the car kept pushing mine forward, but eventually I got the parking brake on and brought it to a halt."
Peter called an ambulance and ran to assist the driver, who was slumped over the wheel and struggling to breathe.
"I tipped his head back to open his airways and realised there was a woman on the car's loudspeaker phone system.
"It was the driver's wife, so I began to talk to her and asked if her husband had any health problems.
"She told me he had an angina inhaler, so I found it in his pocket and helped him lift it to his mouth and use it."
Peter tried to calm the driver's daughter until the ambulance and police arrived.
He has now been given The Silver Cross – the Scouting Association's highest award.
"I think anyone would have done the same thing," said Peter, who is general manager for Howden's Joinery in Newcastle.
"I'm not a hero and if it happened again tomorrow I'd do it again."
Peter also received a Chief Constable's Commendation award from Northumbria Police for his actions.
He said: "I think they gave me an award because the accident happened on a flyover, and if the driver had gone through the barriers the car would have dropped 40ft and it would have been catastrophic."
Peter joined the Scouts when he was eight and learned first aid throughout his time with them.
When his own sons, Joshua, nine, and Jonathan, seven, were old enough to join, he got involved again and is now Assistant Beaver Scout Leader for the 2nd Chester-le-Street group.
"I loved being in the Cubs and the Scouts and my sons are really enjoying it too," said Peter.
"It taught me to help other people and to be prepared, which has obviously come in useful."
Peter has since spoken on the phone to the family he rescued.
He said: "The driver is a really nice bloke and I'm happy I was able to help him that day."
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Weather for Sunderland
Saturday 04 February 2012
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