Rover SD1 - The Liver Run (Police Camera Action)

Police deliver a donor liver to a patient driving from Stansted Airport, Essex to Cromwell Hospital, Kensington, London on 8th May 1987.
Check out the SD1's.

[@Lobo-ih3bh]

The sound of those rover V8s in the tunnel 👌

[@adsyoffinch]

I love how he dropped a cog coming out of the tunnel!

[@sporkfindus4777]

Incredible how no accidents happened with two SD1s flying. Fantastic planning, driving and professionalism.

[@tba8241]

Very professional

[@cjmillsnun]

The reason this wasn't flown in by helicopter was that there was no air ambulance and there had been a police helo crash that had caused the fleet to be grounded. Hence they could only go by road.

[@nob209]

I was wondering this.

[@garyfallows1123]

I remember this being on the news, i used to drive a Rover 3500, they were quick and handled really well, you see the driver lean on the car at the end, he must have been mentally exhausted, great job

[@dbgrant]

Furious driving!

[@kdri155]

Brought me here too...

[@LedCROwbar2]

One of the best police videos I've ever seen! Amazing run, amazing sense of direction, great driver, car and organization... puts tear in my eye, really.

[@Titus_Phook]

and me

[@eltonwelsby787]

I love the way the lead driver waved to fellow pedestrian officers as they raced to the destination, great camaraderie. British policing at its best. An amazing feat.

[@LedCROwbar2]

Those people who were involved in this, from pilots, policemen, doctors and scotland yard, did more in 35 minutes than all the politicians in 35 years, for much much much less money. World is cruel place to live.

[@DavidSmith-xf7fu]

I was Driving a football coach from Peterborough to Birmingham a few years ago. After the match the police motorcycles escorted the coach convoy out of town to the M42 with the instruction "follow the bike", (ignore traffic lights, where the bike goes you go.. stay with him..!! ).. he wasn't hanging about either.. and the other bikes would shoot forward to stop traffic at junctions etc.. IT WAS BRiLLIANT..!!

[@swagyes7827]

Who here after that ar12 vid

[@Avetho]

I am. I thought it was a police chase at first, but it was wholesome instead. Bless the Rover SD1. When all else was failing, like her liver, the helicopter fleet, that motorcycle engine, the Rover still pushed on. Sacrificing its brakes and rear shocks to make it in time.

[@Jack-pf1ho]

Me

[@robertarmitage5493]

Me

[@gavinbinkley3793]

I only remembered the Rover SD1 from Top Gear which made it special but now seeing this makes it even more special... I'm going to go watch that episode of Top Gear now.

[@envirotrident_yt]

Me

[@daveslife9486]

Bless the police and the rover sdi 😊🙏👌

[@EmptyCheetosBag]

You mean SD1, right?

[@LedCROwbar2]

@@EmptyCheetosBag Rover V8 SDI, vw swapped special edition monster, 64 PS ...

[@skylined5534]

@@LedCROwbar2 VW? 64ps? What are you imbibing?

[@spodule6000]

The real reason the second car was chasing the one in front, was to tell him he had a brake light out.

[@Focusonbehind]

Imagine seeing these two race down the streets with those V8 roar. Awesome.

[@jamietaylor9515]

What a car those things were. And what a driver that guy is. Well done.

[@davidmccann2633]

Rover triumph .. I thought it was a late 80s cavaler Sri but just looking it's the rover

[@_Frozen_mamba_]

@@davidmccann2633 rover sd1

[@Salman-sc8gr]

While the current BMW patrol cars have been catching fire on high speed runs.

[@JourneywithSmee]

The liver had came from Hull , was driven to Humberside Airport across the Humber Bridge, along the A15. This takes about 20mins normally so on blue lights probably 10-15mins. Then flown immediately to Stansted airport in which we now join the run. I regularly drive from Hull to London and at normal motorway speed it takes me 3hrs 15mins .

[@Nightdare]

Lesson learned: mount flashing lights and a siren and do it in less than 40 minutes

[@ronmccullock1407]

The Police driver in the Rover SD1 was superb

[@ghanshyamghyani5854]

This made me cry. God bless those policemen

[@Avetho]

Amen

[@user-itschad1954]

@@Avetho Me too, some slate the police but they are a VERY professional bunch who care. They ultimately risked their lives so some unknown female could survive. Thank God for British police.

[@justas525]

SD1 was very much suited for the job and I was crying as well mate

[@johns3822]

Great effort, well done the police

[@tophgvtraining3636]

When the UK was the best country. Bring it back!

[@mrmook3001]

14:10 Pontiac Firebird in London?

[@DaChazSterTV]

Yup! Quite a few American muscle cars got bought over to the UK during the 70s and early 80s, with a lot of them sticking around for a good few years afterwards. Weird seeing a clean early Trans-Am, though...

[@valobrien9596]

I can barely believe that I didn't notice that whatsoever, that's crazy😂! I absolutely love the Firebird, I guess I was so focused on the SD1 that I became oblivious to the other cars. Thanks for pointing it out👍!

[@Ryan-lh8wp]

my dads work mate had one here in the UK, he worked on the oil rigs

[@valobrien9596]

@@Ryan-lh8wp I wonder could it be possible that his Trans-Am is the one in the video. That would be cool!

[@notreallydavid]

There's always a very occasional import to be seen wherever you go in the UK.

[@duncankelman]

Amazing. I remember this when it was first broadcast.

[@Lif7ed]

Wow, what a watch. This really makes you think if they'd of made it on time in today's circumstances...

[@esssexboy]

We going back 34 years ago. I hope those officers are still alive are enjoying their retirement now.

[@Munrobagger1976]

I remember this! Best Police camera action episode ever. I wonder how the recipient of the liver is doing today

[@Eternity909]

My granddad had an SD1 V8, Jumped it on a bridge down a country land at 120 mph. took him 3 weeks to realise he’d bent the frame on the landing 🤣

[@No.Handle31]

Proud to be a member of the MET.

[@salfordladcraigedeane2356]

Nice one lads, major respect to ya all,

[@HeavyMetalGamer45]

That's definitely the car you need a big Rover V8.

[@mallyjoyplaneflighttv]

Superb skill , great driving from both drivers ,, hats off to you

[@rushy0157]

I love these old police camera action clips!

[@procta2343]

Great skill to the police, i would hate them to got through that again now, with the way the traffic is.

[@gavinrussell9242]

I did my blue light training for police then ambulance etc and these guys did well or great ! try that in a 5 ton ambulance its scary I feel part of driving test or training for normal drivers should be tested for how to respond when blue lights are behind you

[@DingKong]

Furious Driving brought me here, but I actually remember watching this on the TV years ago.

[@lionofzion81]

Imagine being in the backseat and holding on to a cooler containing a liver during that ride

[@j0llyroger889]

Well done, Great job

[@MrNellie65]

I had “Magical Sound Shower” playing in my head throughout that(Outrun).

[@chrisjohnson3253]

This is the greatest run across London I have ever seen teamwork just awesome

[@andypdq]

Gotta love your Buick V8!

[@skylined5534]

Rover V8. By the time Rover re-engineered it it shared little commonality with the Skylark motor.

[@DartzIRL]

The ultimate spare parts delivery service.

[@guybs1977]

Back when they actually where the people's hero's.

[@johnmills8997]

Fantastic

[@friendlypiranha774]

That liver got there in the most comfortable manner ever.

[@paulcolville5972]

This is a police traffic officers wet dream! Well done The Met. Would've liked to have heard the ongoing radio commentary, he'd have been as exhausted as the driver after! Bet it took a while to come down after that. Nice to see the patient at the end, I hope she's still with us.

[@highwindsclarke2685]

This is my favourite episode.

[@CertainlySpooky]

Here from Collecting addicts Podcast

[@neilburns8869]

The police officers involved make a very good point, you can plan what you think is the best possible route for the circumstances but you can't really legislate for any unforeseen events or accidents - life happens and they just have to try and deal with whatever arises given the time.

[@mouldyrx8]

I do this for a living now we can’t even drive with blue lights

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Beautiful memories! What an Epic.

[@splitters2477]

If I had the money,I'd buy one of these Rover SD1 V8 rover...then do it up...

[@robertmaitland09]

The Cromwell is a private hospital? I used to dispatch ride in the smoke back then, did 80 up the mall once, crazy days. The coppers were amazing drivers.

[@papapabs175]

If the plane had landed at RAF Northolt, the journey would have been much shorter.

[@robertpollock1986]

Those cops should have been handed automatic promotion

[@neilwalsh4058]

They did a cracking job, albeit with a lot of help from other officers, car and motorcycles closing junctions and clearing the way. They were doing what they were paid for out of taxpayers money and will have enjoyed a healthy final salary pension when they retired, 10 years earlier than most people do. Give them the respect they deserve but a promotion? Really?

[@skylined5534]

@@neilwalsh4058 Sour tits.

[@BMH1965]

Getting out of Hull would have also been a nightmare at peak traffic hours - if they were lucky, Clive Sullivan Way should have been mostly empty to the Bridge.

[@steliosstylianos9362]

This is when the British police were the best in the world. How far we’ve fallen

[@yossiallen3316]

That's where motorcycles have the distinct advantage. Cars simply cannot go faster than the vehicles in front.

[@skylined5534]

Meanwhile it Central London...

[@emmetdonnelly2072]

Thought this happened in the 90s but actually longer ago.

[@blackvanandrobin6413]

Sorry mate i ordered a Pizza !

[@bobjohnson205]

He didn't even like liver! lol

[@davidmccann2633]

Thank our country 🙏 we have advanced air ambulance now days

[@Mike_5]

Blue Lens front fog lights that's Essex for you

[@pccalhoun]

Delivery.

[@surreyboy84]

I’ve had to drive Police cars through London like this before & it’s very tiring. I can understand driver collapsing when they got to the hospital. Your brain is in overdrive.

[@edwardmcginley]

This was before the police got Vauxhall senator 3 litre injection 24 valve

[@emmetdonnelly2072]

Wonder if the patient is still around today?

[@betterlookingthanyouravera9619]

Proper coppers well done 👍🏻

[@ffinybryn]

21:14 Consultant Surgeon's Rolls Royce parked outside the operating theatre.

[@emmetdonnelly2072]

Roads were way quieter back then, try that now.

[@MrTruth111]

It's a 'delivery'

[@kerimbozkurt3301]

I hope someone upgrades the footage (maybe using AI) at some point, I would love to see this at least in HD, great driving

[@ralk1740]

Tak for tip NP! #BilklubbenPodcast

[@SuperCoolio72]

Police now wouldnt care less about giving public consideration. You see too many videos of them on a power trip "rag dolling" people to the ground, often un provoked. Well done to all the officers involved in saving that womans life. Much respect. 👍

[@skylined5534]

Usually 'rag-dolling' a violent, confrontational arsehole on coke these days.

[@butterwortha1]

They use powerful motorbikes now and you can see why

[@paullee5921]

I like my liver with a bottle of ciante

[@neilburns8869]

Unfortunately there's no real legislating for foolishness or just plain simple ignorance of other road users.

[@althejazzman]

7:30 I'm amazed that the police would consider risking the safety of the public to save a life in a hospital. I've done advanced driver training and the general attitude is: if there's not enough time to anticipate a risk, don't risk it.

[@skylined5534]

So you're not an officer who's ever been charged with the duty of transporting a live organ to a critical patient?

[@johnpaterson6741]

​@@skylined5534and as they say on the video, they mitigate that risk by the two types of sirens (plus the dozens of supporting officers along the route). Bravo to all involved, I was knackered by the end of the video and I was only watching it!

[@johnw2259]

Why didn’t they just continue with the Essex car?

[@CobnutVTS]

the SD1 is a quicker car

[@qmsarge]

The Essex police men may not know London city roads? Or radio communication issues?

[@jamesbarclay7951]

The Essex car wouldnt have been fast enough, it looked like a Vauxhall Cavalier. The SD1 had a V8 under the bonnet which would have provided enough power and speed to do the job

[@bertramspielt]

@@jamesbarclay7951 It was a Ford Scorpio. And looking at the wheels, I think a 2.0, or a 2.3. - not the right car for this ride. The SD V8 was faster and had a much better acceleration.

[@esssexboy]

It's was a 2.8i Granada quite a lame car compared to a 3500 V8 sdi. That's why they swopped cars

[@jsbrailsford]

Surely a police motorbike would have been quicker?

[@brid8923]

But like... why didn't they just helicopter it? Did England not have helicopters at their hospitals???

[@Ricky-tp2qj]

where would they land it?

[@brid8923]

The hospital helipad? All the ones here have them

[@peacockealot]

All met police helicopters were grounded because one of them a few days before this incident had an engine explode. No private ones could be sourced on time.

[@skylined5534]

Bri D... do you k own how Google works?

[@tonybrown9875]

Pulled into the hospital at "12 : 25" aka 777 gtfoh

[@filthiestfish]

Deliver the liver

[@elrjames7799]

Couldn't do it now: ubiquitous tax payer expense road works and 'hard' cycle lanes.

[@SPTSuperSprinter156]

Thumbs down for the dubbed audio. Watch the "police stop!" version, which has the proper audio.

[@shaneharrisnj3484]

Good luck watching "The World's Wildest Police Chases"... that had WAY MORE sound effect dubbing than this, after all, it was a Fox show from like, 1998.

[@kenxiong6830]

Looks like they’re taking their sweet time

[@skylined5534]

Are you mental? Rush-hour in Central London can see you take up to 45 minutes to cover three miles.

[@kenxiong6830]

@@skylined5534 it’s called SARCASM buddy

[@tunafishjoe]

Was this before helicopters were invented?

[@biglows3081]

He said at the start of the video that it was foggy. Also, nowadays almost all hospitals have helipads its not clear if that hospital had one. This was over 30 years ago.

[@samanli-tw3id]

All police choppers were grounded and London didn’t get ambulance choppers until 1988.

[@samanli-tw3id]

Helicopters did exist before WW2 although experimental.

[@skylined5534]

Jesus christ, Google it you dimwit. Due to an air traffic crash all helicopters were grounded. Americans...

[@activepower8125]

the Cromwell hospital, patient most likely very wealthy. would 3 police bikes been a bit faster.

[@skylined5534]

Nope.

[@carforumwanker]

Change it to a 530d BMW with a good remap. Add in a team of escort motorbike escorts to allow a better flow through traffic and it would great fun

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Reality check mate buddy, the darn BMW were setting themselves alight especially during high speed runs, it got to the point where they were decommissioned and will not be getting them.

[@carforumwanker]

E39's ....not a chance in hell @@Salman-sc8gr

[@garthqueen]

Motorbike would have been a quicker choice surely,theres blood donor bikes after all

[@dafspeed]

Didnt you see the Police bike blow up after only driving a bit in London. Would have needed a full relay team..

[@paulsimpson6899]

This was 1987, things weren't as progressive as they are in 2020.

[@skylined5534]

They needed something fast, with presence and large carrying capability with AC. So no, a bike would have been a terrible choice.

[@Greenslade117]

Pleased to say, the Assistant Chief Constable survived the transplant operation, lived for another 24 years, and didn’t touch a drop of whisky post-op: strictly beer and wine only.

[@skylined5534]

?

[@iainmcloughlin6305]

I am guessing that you didn't watch it til the end?

[@bobjohnson205]

It would have been a lot easier if everybody wasn't driving on the wrong side of the road! lol

[@KristofferEk]

it's insane to belive the run was made by A ROVER a Car brand not especially known for reliability and it held up the entire way.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

It was a 30 min drive, youd hope it would hold for atleast that long haha

[@KristofferEk]

@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 30 min with or with out the trafic?

[@skylined5534]

@@KristofferEk Not known for reliability by people who'd never even sat in one. They were as reliable if not more so than contemporary stuff. Don't peddle an Internet myth.

[@skylined5534]

@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 Reliability wouldn't have been an issue. The Met didn't stockpile these post production for a laugh.

[@KristofferEk]

@@skylined5534 internet myth? dude blame top gear for what I know about British cars.

[@a.tanner8524]

The liver must’ve been for someone important and rich. Can’t imagine they’d go to so much trouble and risk if it was an ordinary member of the public who needed a liver.

[@a.tanner8524]

Having said that, well done to the police for doing such a good job under difficult circumstances.

[@acidburn7683]

@@a.tanner8524 Helicopters were grounded due to an air crash.

[@animal79thecat]

a wealthy Jewess,i believe

[@skylined5534]

@@animal79thecat Oh dear. Are you OK, little 'un?

[@tba8241]

​@@animal79thecat Mate,what difference does her ethnicity make?

[@markrossow6303]

no one had a helicopter ?

[@markrossow6303]

scrolled farther down helicopters grounded due to prior crash

[@Turbomgzt]

Great! Risk hundreds of lives for one. Not the best police move. Exactly the excuse they the law on us for not speeding. Should have used a helicopter.

[@jakesoros2376]

Their was no air ambulance and a police helicopter had crashed recently causing the whole fleet to be grounded. There was no other option.

[@teresamoore4126]

That is like saying ambulances shouldn't bother rushing to an emergency.

[@angrypants7619]

Not heard of a helicopter? Risking multiple peoples lives for 1 life 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@TheHoipoloi]

Helicopters were grounded due to an air crash. Maybe you should have been in charge?

[@Turbomgzt]

​@TheHoipoloi what aircraft crash Mr police controller?

[@jackfoley5108]

Great job lads