A man is to receive an award from the Royal Humane Society for putting himself in “considerable danger” in an act of bravery.

Drew McLean, 32, of Wisden Road in Stevenage, was driving to work on the A1(M) in November last year when he saw a car “bouncing” off of the central reservation on the southbound carriageway near to junction 6 for Welwyn.

Mr McLean attempted to gain the driver’s attention by sounding his horn but, when he drew up alongside him, discovered he had passed out at the wheel.

The driver’s automatic vehicle, a Kia Sorento, continued to travel along the road at approximately 60mph.

Mr McLean was forced to drive his vehicle, a Ford panel van, in front of the other driver and hit his brakes, to prevent the car from continuing forward.

Mr McLean said: “When I stopped the van, I realised his engine was still going and still pushing me further down the road.

“It’s only because a few more people stopped to help that we managed to take some control of the situation and stop it from getting any worse.

“I didn’t even stop to think about what was happening, it all went so fast. I saw him unconscious at the wheel and knew I had to do something.”

The driver of the Kia, a man in his 50s, was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage but died shortly after arrival.

Mr McLean will receive the Testimonial on Vellum from the Royal Humane Society, a prize the society says can only be awarded to “someone who has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else.”

Mr McLean will receive his award at the Hertfordshire police headquarters in Welwyn GC on June 5.