Hero cop PC Tom Kinderman has won a national bravery award for his part in saving a woman’s life when her car ended upside down in a stream near Littleton Panell.

PC Kinderman, with a member of the public Paul Wiltshire, a Wessex Water engineer from Bristol, rescued mother of two Bozena Krupka from the car in March last year. Mrs Krupka, of West Lavington, suffered no ill effects.

PC Kinderman, a response officer based in Devizes, said he and Mr Wiltshire had to act decisively to get Mrs Krupka out.

“The moment she became unconscious we had to get her out of the vehicle,” he said.

“The water rose rapidly and she went under.

“If she had not lost consciousness we could have maintained her airway and kept her head above water until the fire service arrived to rescue her.”

The officer was among more than 50 police nominated for the Police Bravery Awards 2010, organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales and The Sun newspaper.

PC Kinderman, who lives in Potterne and has been a police officer for 11 years, won the South West region award.

He said: “I can’t believe I was nominated but to win the regional award was overwhelming.

“It was very humbling to hear every single police officer’s story at the awards.

“It was nice to be recognised but at the same time we are paid to do this job. I do genuinely like helping people in need.”

During the ceremony he met Prime Minister David Cameron, BBC presenter Sian Williams and Bonita Norris, 22, who became the youngest British woman to climb Everest.

PC Kinderman said: “I enjoy the variety that police work offers, no two days are the same.”

PC Kinderman and Mr Wiltshire received commendations from Wiltshire Chief Constable Brian Moore last December for rescuing Mrs Krupka.