A roadside recovery man who came to the rescue of a seriously ill driver has been recognised for his quick thinking by the emergency services.

Mark Prentice, an AA patrol officer, has received a commendation from the East of England Ambulance Service after he saw a man hanging out of the door of a van as he was driving along the A421 Bedford bypass.

After dialling 999 Mr Prentice comforted the man, and laid out mats and blankets for paramedics to place the patient on.

Jim Farrell, duty operations manager for the ambulance service who attended the scene, said: "On my arrival the man was in a serious condition and required rapid treatment on the roadside.

"Mark was able to give me a very good history of what he had seen and done.

"He even got blankets and mats laid out on the floor to place the patient on."

Mr Prentice last week received a certificate of commendation from the ambulance service for his actions during the incident, which happened in February.

He said: "I am very pleased to be recognised by the ambulance service and I am glad I was in the right place at the right time.

"I have spoken to the patient since and he is making a full recovery."
Anthony Garbacz, area manager for the AA, paid tribute to Mr Prentice.

He said: "Mark is a great patrol officer who always goes the extra mile, so thankfully, he was in the right place at the right time.

"He remained calm and composed in a difficult situation."