A hero cop who climbed under a lorry to reach an injured motorcyclist and drag him to safety after a crash has been nominated for a national bravery award.

PC Grace and a colleague were called to the emergency on the A249 at Bobbing near Sittingbourne in January.

When they arrived they described the scene as "total chaos" with "people running around screaming" because of the "horrific nature" of what had happened.

The officers could see a motorcyclist had become trapped under a flat-bed lorry. He was "screaming out in pain" and had suffered "significant injuries".

The officers immediately took control.

The flat-bed section of the lorry was resting on the motorcyclist. The officers knew he had to be freed immediately if he was to stand any chance of survival.

They found a jack to lift the lorry and together, with the help of several members of the public, managed to lift the lorry off the ground.

"PC Grace showed exceptional courage to get to the motorcyclist and get him free from the lorry in what was a horrific incident."

The citation, released this morning (Tuesday), says: "In an incredible act of bravery, given the lorry could have crashed back to the ground at any time, PC Grace crawled underneath it to drag the motorcyclist to safety.

"He then removed the rider’s helmet and performed CPR until ambulance crews arrived.

"Amazingly, given the state of his injuries, the motorcyclist survived the incident."

Neil Mennie, who chairs the Kent Police Federation, said: "PC Grace showed exceptional courage to get to the motorcyclist and get him free from the lorry in what was a horrific incident.

"He was in constant danger as he did so. I’m certain the rider would have died if he hadn’t have done what he did."

He added: “We are all extremely proud of PC Grace. He is an exceptional officer and a credit to himself, his family and Kent Police.”

The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

As a nominee, PC Grace, who has asked not to have his first name revealed, will join colleagues from across the country at a reception and evening awards ceremony in London in July.

The awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.