Woman commended by police for saving students' lives

Marie Gumpert was presented with a certificate by Chief Constable Jason Hogg

A woman has been commended for saving the lives of 25 American exchange students by stopping the bus they were travelling in when the driver passed out.

Marie Gumpert, a student liaison officer, grabbed the steering wheel, as the vehicle veered across three lanes of the M25 in Buckinghamshire, before hitting the central reservation.

The bus, travelling to London, stopped on the hard shoulder near junction 15 and did not hit any other vehicles, but the driver died at the scene, Thames Valley Police said.

Ms Gumpert said she was "humbled" to receive the award.

The crash happened at about 09:00 BST on 4 September 2022.

Four women in their late teens and two teenage girls suffered minor injuries from smashed windows but did not require hospital treatment.

"I am deeply humbled to receive this award, grateful for the support of the community and inspired by the resilience of the passengers," Ms Gumpert said.

"I extend my profound gratitude, not only for the recognition but even more so for the lives saved that day, made possible with the invaluable assistance of Thames Valley Police during and following the accident."

Det Ch Insp Michael Bettington, head of the roads policing unit, said: "There is no doubt that Marie’s quick thinking, actions and intervention, along with other passengers, directly contributed to the safe conclusion of this awful incident.

“If Marie had not done what she did, I have no doubt in my mind that there would have been multiple casualties or worse. Her actions were selfless and commendable.

"Our thoughts also remain with the driver’s family."