A brave schoolboy was today hailed a hero after he helped to rescue a man from a burning car.

Christopher Vernon, a pupil at the King Edmund School in Rochford, has been commended by Rayleigh traffic police.

Christopher, 14, of Anne Boleyn Drive, Rochford, was on his way back to school to take part in a Duke of Edinburgh course when the drama unfolded.

He was cycling along Bradley Way when he saw two cars had been involved in an accident. One was on fire and the other was in a hedge.

Christopher said: "I heard a great, big bang and a skidding sound as I turned round I saw the car was on fire.

"The lady passenger holding her child was shouting for someone to help her husband out of the car because he was stuck."

Quick-thinking Christopher ran to a nearby BP garage and grabbed two fire extinguishers.

Unfortunately there was a problem with getting them to work and he went back to the garage to get another.

When he returned the trapped man had managed to get out of his burning Fiat Uno and firefighters from Southend and Leigh were at the scene.

Insp Richard Ager of Rayleigh traffic police, sent a letter to Christopher's school praising his efforts.

He said: "I would like to commend Christopher for his actions and presence of mind at a very difficult time and for all his efforts to help others. It was a very public spirited action to undertake."

Graham Abel, head teacher of the Vaughan Close school, said he was proud of Christopher's efforts.

But Christopher is modest about his quick-thinking actions. "I didn't really think about what I was doing at the time, " he said.

Hero - Christopher Vernon

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