A man who rushed to the scene of a car accident has been rewarded for his 'exceptional' bravery after detaining the drunk driver responsible for violently attacking an officer. 

Wiley Byrne, 28, of north London drove to Sewardstone Road in Chingford in the early hours of December 27 last year after receiving a phone call from his girlfriend to say she had been in a serious collision with another vehicle, whose driver was drunk. 

PC Chris Moore, 34, of Waltham Forest police attended the scene alone where he asked both drivers to take an alcohol breath test. 

Driver Tex Baker, 28, of Kingsland Road in Harlow, told the officer he had drunk four pints of lager and subsequently failed the test. 

As PC Moore attempted to arrest Baker, he ran off which ensued in a chase that would end with Mr Byrne restraining Baker. 

Baker first punched the officer in the nose and then repeatedly head butted and punched him in the face and head as he attempted to free himself. 

PC Moore took out his baton and struck Baker on the legs and body where he then managed to cuff one of Baker's wrists but sustained a bite to his hand. 

At the same time, Baker snatched his baton and confronted him by saying "I’m going out with a bang if I’m going down", and struck him twice on the head causing him to drop to the ground.     

In a last-ditch attempt, PC Moore, who was bleeding heavily, grabbed Baker's legs but continued to be kicked repeatedly. 

Realising the officer was in serious danger and without any thought for his own safety, Mr Byrne ran over and grabbed Baker's left arm and shoulder as the officer held his right arm.

Baker's mother, who had driven to the scene, pleaded with her son to stop the attack, but he continued to verbally abuse and assault PC Moore. 

Mr Byrne held on to Baker until he saw blue lights along Sewardstone Road where he then let go and ran into the middle of the road to wave down the police. 

Baker was restrained and detained at the scene and later charged with wounding with intent. 

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 4 to a total of 64 months imprisonment for grievous bodily harm with intent and jailed for an additional four months for drink-driving and given a two-year driving ban. 

Mr Byrne received the silver medal at the recent police public bravery awards.