Typically, the roads stay empty during snowstorms, especially at 2.30am. But sometimes, as Queenstown Sergeant Dylan Hannah-Jones recently found out, you just have to hit the road.
“I was patrolling in a blizzard through Hanley’s Farm in the early hours of the morning,” says Dylan of the incident in October. “It was at about that point that I thought my two-wheel-drive police car might not actually make it back to Queenstown.”
That’s when Dylan spotted headlights pulling out of a driveway.
“I thought that was pretty unusual, so I turned around and asked if they were ok.”
Dylan found a couple in the car in a bit of a rush. And for good reason.
“They yelled out, ‘we're off to have a baby!’
"Having been down that road a couple of times myself and knowing the added stress that the blizzard would’ve had, I gave them a police escort to hospital. Pretty extreme dash to the hospital if you ask me.”
A photo of the blizzard taken by Dylan from his patrol vehicle, while stationary, about three hours before his emergency dash. A lot more snow settled over that time, making driving conditions treacherous.
Dylan got the expectant couple to the hospital safe and sound, thankfully without the need for any roadside snowstorm deliveries, which they were extremely grateful for.
In a note sent to Police, the proud new father was hugely appreciative of Dylan’s help.
“He escorted us through the snow and helped my wife into the hospital in a wheelchair.
“He was fantastic and we really appreciated the help. Both baby and mum are doing well, but that’s again down to that officer.”
Fast forward a few weeks and Dylan recently got to meet baby Evelyn and give her a fluffy police puppy to remember her special police escort by. He made sure the sun was out for this particular visit though.