Three to get awards for brave rescue

Three heroes from the West Midlands who braved a blazing vehicle to rescue its badly-burned driver during a pile-up on the motorway are to receive top bravery honours.

David Baillie from Streetly and Simon Marshall from Leamore, Walsall, fought to save Paul Mizen, whose van had smashed into the back of an articulated lorry on the M40 at Chesterton.

The pair, along with Birmingham man, Lee Whitehouse, dragged Mr Mizen to safety during a fierce snowstorm despite the fact his van could have exploded at any time.

It has now been announced Mr Baillie, of Katsura Close, will be awarded a Royal Humane Society testimonial on vellum, personally signed and approved by the society's president Princess Alexandra. Mr Marshall, of Odell Way, Leamore, and Mr Whitehouse, of Worlds End Lane, Quinton, will also be awarded testimonials on parchment.

The three men risked their lives to save Mr Mizen, from Ashford, when he became trapped in the cab of his van during the winter following a crash.

Mr Mizen suffered 25 per cent burns in the accident and was released from hospital in March but the outcome could have been much worse. Work colleagues Mr

Baillie and Mr Whitehouse had been travelling back from Oxford together when they saw the accident. Father-of-two Mr Baillie, who works as an electrician and machine controller for BMW and Mini, said: "I had every emotion running through me. It was frantic."

Speaking about the award, the 45-year-old added: "It was rewarding enough to see him back with his family but it is nice to be recognised."

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "If the van had exploded or the fire had suddenly flared they could have been badly burned or killed.

"Despite these dangers they carried on fighting to get Mr Mizen out and succeeded.

"It was an exceedingly brave rescue and they richly deserve the awards that they are to receive."