SIX members of the public were honoured by Hampshire Police recently, for their bravery in trying to save the lives of three people involved in a fatal car crash last September.
The crash occurred on the A31 when an MGF sports car driven by Lynne Spooner (41) from Aldershot, lost control on a bend near the Hen and Chicken Public House and crossed the central reservation, colliding with a Ford Sierra driven by Paddy Varnam (36) from Selborne.
The MGF burst into flames with Mrs Spooner and her 16-year old son Andrew still trapped inside. The six motorists who stopped to assist in the rescue attempt fought bravely to get the pair out of the burning car, but were beaten back by the flames.
The six men, four from Waterlooville, one from Bournemouth and one from Bentley, fought the flames with fire extinguishers and climbed into the burning car to free the occupants from their seat belts. They were eventually forced to retreat for their own safety.
The occupants of the MGF were pronounced dead at the scene, and Mr Varnam died a few days later in hospital.
Pc Mike Batten of Whitehill Traffic Police, who was present at the scene, said: ÒI nominated the six men for the award, and Paul Kernigan, Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, agreed that their actions were worthy of recognition. They were all severely traumatised by the incident, and their efforts were nothing short of heroic. These men ran into a situation where most people would be running away.
ÒWhen you consider that Hollywood films make most people believe that vehicles explode in a very dramatic manner, their bravery is all the more impressive and their actions are beyond praise.Ó