A heroic mother was today hailed a life-saver after dragging two people from their vehicle only seconds before it exploded into flames.

Basildon Hospital worker Mandy West was driving along a deserted road after a wedding reception when she came across the crash scene.

Lifesaver - Mandy West with a letter of thanks Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

A two-car collision had left a Transit van on its side against a hedgerow and a Renault Clio car on fire.

Mandy, 44, of Wills Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, jumped from her car with her daughter Emma, 21, and rushed to the van. The driver was stumbling around in the darkness with a serious leg injury, but managed to alert them to his trapped wife.

Mandy, who works as a caterer at the hospital, managed to haul the woman out the driver's door window and to safety on the roadside.

She then raced over to the burning car, nearly slipping on the road as petrol spilled out from both vehicles.

Mandy said today: "We tried to get to the driver but the flames were too fierce on that side. The passenger door was stuck so we were getting nowhere.

"Eventually, with all our force, we managed to pull the door open and haul the two men out of the car. One had a really bad cut and the other was complaining of sore arms"

A minute later Mandy and the others watched in horror as the car exploded into a ball of fire that could have killed anyone inside or nearby.

"I wouldn't call myself a hero. I just did what I hope anyone would have done in that situation."

All the motorists she helped in the Leicestershire crash have written letters of thanks.

Published Friday, June 27, 2003

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