New parents have thanked a police officer for his help after he gave them a lift to hospital after a crash.

PC Ronnie Barrett was called to Hectorage Road, Tonbridge, where a black BMW X3 had struck several stationary cars.

The accident happened at around 7.30pm on Thursday, March 14.

Three vehicles suffered significant damage. The BMW itself overturned and was abandoned, with two men running off.

PC Barrett was then approached by Ollie Clarke, whose wife Abbey had gone into labour.

Following the crash, several roads had been closed, so the soon-to-be parents were unable to drive to Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.

Quick-thinking PC Barrett sprang into action by walking Abbey and Ollie around the collision and giving them a lift to the hospital in his patrol car.

The next day baby Willow was born, weighing 5lb 6oz.

PC Liam Wright liaised with the local authority to ensure the family car’s tyres were cleaned as they had been covered in oil after the crash.

He then arranged for their vehicle – which still had Willow’s car seat and baby clothes inside – to be taken to the hospital ready for their journey home as a family of three.

Exactly a month after driving them to Pembury, PC Barrett got to meet Willow.

“...it soon appeared that we had the coolest birth story ever and that it needed to be remembered.”

He said: “Being an officer is more than just investigating crime, it’s about helping members of the community to stay safe.

“It was an honour and privilege to help Abbey and Ollie get to hospital in time to meet their daughter.”

Abbey and Ollie added: “When telling our family the journey of our little girl’s full arrival, it soon appeared that we had the coolest birth story ever and that it needed to be remembered.

“We kept the paperwork handed to us with PC Barrett’s badge number on to pop in our family memory box.”