AN AA patrol driver who risked his own life to stop an out-of-control van on the M9 has been honoured at the inaugural Police Scotland bravery and meritorious awards.
David Gibson, 33, managed to bring the vehicle to a stop after the driver suffered a seizure and became ill at the wheel in March last year.
Mr Gibson, of Edinburgh, noticed the van moving erratically for no reason and when he pulled up beside it, saw that the driver was unconscious.
He then stopped his own AA truck and ran after the van, climbed aboard and steered it safely on to the hard shoulder.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House presented the award to Mr Gibson along with 66 others, including 38 police officers, one police staff member and 27 members of the public.
Mr House said: "This was a special day for Police Scotland, our first bravery and meritorious awards since our inception and show what a wide range of individuals are doing to help us achieve our aim of keeping people safe.
"It is inspiring so many members of the public have also received awards and shows that community spirit is alive and well in Scotland today.
"It is extremely encouraging to see people do care about others they live side by side with in their communities - even those they may not know. Their acts of bravery and of humanity should be applauded."
Others who received awards included a police officer who saved a man from drowning after he had fallen into water while trying to evade capture and a member of the public who put out a chip fan fire his neighbour had accidently started.
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