A BASHFUL army officer has received a top bravery award for his heroics at the side of a busy dual carriageway.

Quick-thinking Sergeant David Ferrier rescued a mother and daughter from their blazing car, before preventing a further disaster by making sure no other cars crashed in the thick smoke on the A583, near to its junction with the M55 in Blackpool.

But Sgt Ferrier, who is based at Fulwood Barracks, wasn't even going to tell his bosses about the incident until he realised they might want to know why he dialled 999 on an army mobile 'phone!

When the army's top brass heard about David's roadside actions, they immediately awarded him with a commendation for his actions which, they said, were above and beyond the call of duty.

David said: "When I saw the car, on the other side of the carriageway, I knew something was wrong.

"Flames were shooting up out of the bonnet and the car had cut across the road, coming to a stop in the central reservation."

Having being trained in how to deal with traffic accidents, the father-of-three dashed across the road, where he discovered the woman behind the wheel had suffered an epileptic fit.

He pulled the woman out, with the help of a paramedic who had also stopped.

"It was only when I looked back at the car that I realised there was a baby, aged about 14 months old, inside the car as well," added Sgt Ferrier, 37.

He then dived back into the blazing car, rescued the child and retrieved all of the woman's belongings, before she was taken to hospital. After making sure the woman was being attended to, he dashed up the dual carriageway, to its junction with the M55, to slow cars down so they didn't crash in the thick black smoke.

Sgt Ferrier added: "I didn't think I was doing anything special, I was doing what I had been trained to do.

"I was very surprised, but also very honoured, when I received this award."

Lancashire Police's Chief Inspector also congratulated Sgt Ferrier on his efforts.

General Officer commanding 5th division, Robin Searby, added: "Soldiers like Sgt Ferrier represent everything that is good about the army."

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