Hastings off-duty police sergeant thanked for involvement in rescuing motorists stranded in snow

With all the rain that has hit the county over the past few weeks, the snow may be a distant memory, but some motorists who were stranded haven’t forgotten the kind strangers who rescued them.

With a yellow warning from the Met Office in place, many drivers got caught in the snow while driving on the A259, between Hastings and Guestling.

They described how traffic flow had halted in both directions as vehicles became stuck and many were abandoned.

It wasn't until some ‘kind samaritans’, as described by motorists Steve and Cathy Jones, begun controlling traffic and helping to push cars up the hill, that people were able to get moving after a wait of up to eight hours in the snow.

Speaking about the help they were offered, Steve said: “We don't know who these men are but are most grateful for their help, as were the countless others they rescued.”

One of the ‘samaritans’ was identified as an off-duty police officer from Hastings CID.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Beek said: “I would just like to thank the members of the public that also stopped to help in what were extremely cold and treacherous conditions.

“I am glad that we managed to help so many elderly people and people with young children get home and back into the warm.”

Another person who selflessly helped out during the chaos was landlady Pauline Wilson, who welcomed about 40 people her pub, the Bear Inn, overnight despite all the bedrooms being fully booked.