Car crash blaze heroes honoured for helping to save woman’s life
Three quick-thinking drivers and a team of firefighters have been rewarded for saving a woman’s life after a crash in which her car burst into flames.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue firefighters responded to a serious road traffic collision on the A5 near Brewood in April.
When the crews from Brewood and Penkridge arrived they found the driver had been pulled from her car by three passing motorists.
The men ignored the flames and smoke, wrenched the door open and managed to pull the seriously injured woman from the car. They stayed with her and comforted her until the arrival of fire crews.
The three – Daniel Moffat from Huntington, Cannock, unable to attend the presentation and have received their certificates by post. They are David McCough, from Glasgow, and David Scott, both from Glasgow have been recognised for their bravery alongside firefighters. Crew manager Brian Cox, along with firefighters Gavin Fox, Luke Proffitt, Howard Dalton, Sam Ward and Harry West, who are based at Brewood Community Fire Station, and watch manager Nick Fife, with firefighters Matt Lewis, Steve Mason, Dan Batchelor and Garry Proctor, from Penkridge Community Fire Station, were among those who responded to the crash.
The car had struck a wall and burst into flames on impact. When firefighters arrived at the scene the car was completely engulfed in flames. The driver had suffered life-changing injuries and crews immediately gave her vital first aid care. They continued to look after her until colleagues from the ambulance service arrived. If it were not for the actions of the three passing motorists and fire crews, the woman’s chances of surviving would have been much slimmer. The crew also worked to extinguish the fire and make the nearby car safe. In light of their actions, the men and firefighters are commended for saving an endangered life and the service recognises them for their bravery.
The firefighters were presented with certificates at Penkridge Community Fire Station.
Station manager Tim Hollingworth said: “If it were not for the actions of Mr McCough, Mr Scott and Mr Moffatt, the woman would most certainly have lost her life in this accident. When crews arrived they found the car was completely engulfed in flames.
“In light of this, the men are commended for their incredibly selfless actions. They could have easily driven passed the collision but they didn’t, they all went to extra lengths to save an endangered life and put themselves at serious risk.
“Likewise, the fire crews deserve recognition for providing essential first aid to the woman and taking great care of her until paramedics arrived at the scene.
“They worked as a team to make sure that as well as looking after the woman, her nearby car which was well a light was dealt with quickly and made safe. Their actions greatly increased the woman’s chances of survival and we recognise them for this.”
