Off-duty police in football strips and flip-flops saved three people from a burning minicab moments before it exploded.
The footballing officers, who had been representing England at an international police tournament, were on their way back from Stansted Airport on Tuesday when they spotted the Mercedes Benz on fire on a sliproad off the A12.
The driver and two holidaymakers were stood at the side of the road when the seven-strong group from Essex Police pulled over – but the driver tried to get back into the cab as police approached.
Two officers ran over and pulled him back just before flames engulfed the car and the windows blew out.
Pc James 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."
The fire was so intense the road was damaged.
The officers ran up the road to stop traffic and clear a path for the emergency services.
The team of seven - Sgt Scott Threadgold, Pc Luke Williams, Pc Alex Franklin, Pc Chris Burch, Pc Paul Hogben, Pc Frankie Cole as well as Pc Stewart - were returning from the tournament in Mallorca.
They had spent a week representing England against police and military officers.
While there they beat Holland 3-1 but were knocked out in the second group stage, with Russia eventually taking the title.
But the Essex officers did win best mascot with Pc Paul Burch dressed as a bumblebee.
