A teenager who rescued a girl trapped in a burning building is to pick up a bravery award at Buckingham Palace.
Hero - Scott O'Rourke, who is set to meet Princess Anne. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (46336-a)
Colchester Institute student Scott O'Rourke will be personally thanked by Princess Anne, and may even meet the Queen, after he saved the life of youngster Maria Huntington.
Scott, 17, of Hickory Avenue, Greenstead, Colchester, was on a break with friends in Birmingham when he spotted firefighters dousing flames at the building.
The St John Ambulance member sprang bravely into action after he was told the crews had been forced to retreat from inside, with one casualty still trapped.
Scott said: "The adrenalin just took over. I saw a clear path past the firefighters and the police and just ran in.
"I could see my way around a little bit at that stage and I found the girl they had been trying to rescue, but she was unconscious, trapped under a car that had collided with the building.
"I spent some time trying to free her and then just picked her up and put her over my shoulders."
Courageous Scott, who is studying health and social care and hopes to become a paramedic or police officer, stayed overnight in hospital and was reunited with Maria, 15, when she paid a visit to his bedside.
Several months after the drama unfolded, St John Ambulance bosses nominated Scott for the award, and arranged his trip to the Buckingham Palace reception on Wednesday.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, November 21, 2005
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