Police officers on their way home from a police football world cup tournament jumped into action to save three people from a burning cab. 

The seven man Essex Police football team were travelling home from Stansted Airport in a minibus after their world cup tournament in Mallorca when they saw the Mercedes-Benz M-Class near Howe Green, on the sliproad at junction 17 of the A12.

The driver and his passengers, a couple from the Far East who were just starting their holiday in the UK, were standing in the road near the vehicle, which had smoke billowing out from it.

The officers were first on the scene at the car fire, which happened just after 1.20pm on May 12, asked the driver of their minibus driver to pull over and block the road before springing into action, still dressed in their shorts and flip flops. 

Pc James Stewart and Pc Frankie Cole saw the driver attempting to return to the burning vehicle and get back inside but luckily pulled him back just in time, while Sgt Scott Threadgold, Pc Luke Williams, Pc Alex Franklin, Pc Chris Burch and Pc Paul Hogben made sure the holidaymakers were at a safe distance.

Pc Stewart said: "As soon as we pulled them all away to a safe distance the car burst into flames and the windows blew out, which would have caused serious injury to anyone nearby.

"Vehicles passing would have also been damaged and drivers injured. "

The fire was so intense that there was damage to the road.

The officers ran up the road to stop traffic and clear a path for the fire engine and their on duty colleagues to get through.

The scene was cleared by 5.35pm and the driver and his passengers managed to continue their journey using alternative transport. 

It was an eventful end to the footballers’ time in Mallorca, where they had spent a week representing England as they competed against police officers and military personnel from across the world.

The officers, who are part of the Essex Police football team, were among about 92 teams playing.

Essex beat Holland 3-1 but were knocked out in the second group stage. Russia eventually won the tournament.

Essex officers did win best mascot with Pc Chris Burch dressed as a bumblebee.