Land Rover Repair: Rover Discovery - overheated, radiator hose, head gasket

Question
1995 Discovery lost its coolant due to split radiator hose.  Temp guage red lined.  Driver did not notice temp guage. Engine died at stoplight.  Ignition would not engage at stoplight.   Engine cooled down, refilled with coolant, fixed hose, and drove away.  All seems and runs fine.

Is there a sensor that detected the heat and shut down the enigne before damage?  

What do you think?

Answer
there is no "over heat sensor", the engine ECU probably just couldn't keep it running with those conditions.

Rover blocks do NOT tolerate overheating very well, you may be looking at a head-gasket job.  You may get lucky.  Keep a very close eye on the coolant and oil levels/condition.