Rescuer of mother from burning car is honoured

Motorist who freed woman is recognised for bravery

A motorist who saved the life of a mother trapped in her burning car with her young child has been rewarded for his bravery.

Steven Mitchell, 44, fought to free the injured woman, whose car had crashed into a ditch and burst into flames with her three-year-old daughter inside.

The girl was pulled to safety by another passing motorist, Hugh Cairney, but her mother was trapped inside.

Mr Mitchell, colleague John Walker, of Edinburgh, and a male driver who had been involved in the accident on the A93 near Guildtown, in Perthshire, tried to release her but were forced to retreat by the severity of the flames.

However, thanks to their efforts the woman managed to crawl through a window to safety.

Mr Mitchell, who lives at Star of Markinch, was given the Chief Constable’s bravery commendation award in the Fife Police Awards.

Police Scotland said the woman and her daughter were alive today, thanks to him and the others involved in the incident in October 2015.

Steven said it was a surprise to receive the award, modestly dismissing his heroism as “nothing”.

He said: “We were just there at the right time and place to help the mother and child.”

A statement issued by Fife Police Division said: “There is no doubt that the actions of Steven significantly contributed to saving the lives of both the female involved and her daughter, stopping not only one but two fatalities from occurring that day.”

Awards went to a number of members of the public and to police officers, including a team who pulled a woman who had been hanging from a rooftop by her fingertips to safety.

Sgt Ian Poolman and PCs Justine Watson, Pamela Duffey, Timothy Jack and Stephanie Salmond were all recognised for their roles in the incident which happened in April last year.

They went to the aid of the woman after she was seen sitting on the edge of the roof in Kirkcaldy, with a drop of around 30-40ft.

Sales assistant Sharon Robertson was given the divisional commander’s award for bravery in the face of a would-be robber in Methilhill in March, last year.

The divisional commander’s meritorious award went to detective constables Ryan Balsillie, Derek Connell, Billiejane Ballingall and Lisa Finnie and constables Gillian McCloskey and Barry Thomson for their actions in two incidents sparked by concerns for the welfare of members of the public, one of them on the Forth Road Bridge.

Constables Lauren Howie and Gayle Hopton were also recognised for restraining a man after his partner had fled her home in fear.

Picture: George McLuskie. Steven Mitchell with his award for bravery.