Kentish Express Ashford & District
Councillor rushes to rescue trapped car crash victim
A councillor leapt into action to help an injured man after witnessing a serious crash in Ashford.
Cllr Jim Wedgbury had been returning home after a full council meeting last Thursday night and was waiting at the traffic lights by Platform 5 when he saw the two-car smash on Station Road.
The ward member for Park Farm South, a former firefighter, rushed to help the victims and found a 45-year-old man trapped in his BMW.
Cllr Wedgbury said: “It was right in front of us. Cllr Tina Heyes and I were sitting at the lights when the accident happened and we stopped to give first aid to the casualty.
“A man was trapped by his injuries in his car and he was in serious shock.
“It was hard to tell how seriously injured he was, but I have had 30 years experience in the fire service dealing with these things, and I was concerned.
“We called the emergency services, police and paramedics, and they were there very quickly.”
Firefighters used cutting equipment to remove the roof of the BMW to release the man trapped by his injuries.
He was placed in the care of the ambulance service and was quickly taken to the William Harvey Hospital.
The road was closed while the teams dealt with the crash and drivers were diverted.
Cllr Wedgbury added: “We were quite surprised and disappointed that no one else stopped to help
“I realised immediately the fire service had to be called because he was trapped in the car.
“We gave him first aid while we were waiting for the emergency services, gave statements to the police and then we left.
“I hope we made a difference and we did help so he gets better as quickly as possible.”
A police spokesman confirmed officers attended the crash on station road.
He said: “The South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene and one man was taken to a local hospital for treatment to injuries that are not reported to be serious. “
A spokesman for SECAmb said: “Ambulance crews in one ambulance and two cars attended the scene. A man aged in his 40s was assessed and treated before being taken to William Harvey Hospital suffering from spinal pain.”