Two men saved the life of an 81-year-old woman when she was dragged her from her blazing car in Chelmsford.

Britvic employee Gary Woodhatch, 41, of Beechenlea, Chelmsford, leapt over his firm's fence and ran 150 yards to the car in Westway, screaming, "Get out."

He had seen flames and black smoke pouring from 81-year-old Mrs Myrtle Medcraft's car after an explosion.

Tony Nolan, BT operational manager at Widford Business Park, heard Gary's shouts and stopped his car to drag Mrs Medcraft from the flaming Vauxhall Chevette hatchback which she had owned since it was new in 1981.

Now Essex Fire and Rescue is investigating the incident and the two men could receive commendations.

Mrs Medcraft said: "I think these young men deserve a medal. I did not realise what danger I was in at first.

"There was this enormous bang, so I just pulled over."

Mr Nolan, 42, said: "I could see the flames licking up the side of her car. Within 20 seconds of getting her out, the flames were all over the place and we would have both been burned to death. I saw that old lady and my heart leapt. She was frail and needed help."

Mrs Medcraft said: "I don't think I'll have a car again. You get fond of a particular car after so many years and I thought that one would have seen me out."

Graham Liddell's picture shows a firefighter dealing with the blaze on Tuesday morning.

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