A Peterborough couple have been honoured for their bravery after saving the life of an elderly man who collapsed at the wheel of his car. Luigi Rossetti, 61, and his wife Tina Digiorgio, 57, were preparing to leave their home in London Road, Fletton, on 30 December last year when an 81-year-old man crashed into a nearby front garden.
Rossetti, a former police officer, recalled: “There was this loud bang and I saw a car had crashed. I ran across, followed by my wife. The engine was still running so I turned it off. It was a struggle to get him out as he was trapped but, with my wife’s help, I managed to move him to safety.”
Once freed, the man stopped breathing. Tina quickly recognised the emergency and Rossetti began CPR, continuing for around ten minutes until paramedics arrived. The driver was resuscitated and taken to Peterborough City Hospital, where he made a full recovery. It is believed he suffered a medical episode at the wheel.
“My instincts just kicked in – it was pure luck we were there,” said Rossetti, who served with Cambridgeshire Police between 2009 and 2018. “I hope anyone would do the same if it happened to me.”
Rossetti has since kept in touch with the man, who also lives locally. “It was very emotional the first time we met afterwards. He was very grateful, and it was wonderful to see he’d made a full recovery.”
In recognition of their actions, Rossetti and Digiorgio were presented with Royal Humane Society Awards at Cambridgeshire Police headquarters in Huntingdon on Wednesday (17 September). The certificates were handed over by Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Hutchinson.
He said: “Both Luigi and Tina showed remarkable courage, compassion, composure, and selflessness. Their willingness to step forward in a moment of crisis made the difference between life and death. We are proud and privileged to honour them today.”
Rossetti added modestly: “It was nothing really – I was just in the right place at the right time. But it’s nice to be recognised for helping to save someone’s life.”
Founded in 1774, the Royal Humane Society celebrates acts of bravery in saving human life.
