Drivers rescue mother and baby from crash

HEROIC DRIVERS stopped to rescue a seriously injured mother and her baby from a car moments before it burst into flames after a collision near Whitby.

Witnesses, having seen the crash at Normanby on Saturday, rushed to help and managed to free the pair and get them to safety just before the car was engulfed in fire. Police, commending their brave actions, said their courage almost certainly saved lives.

“I sincerely thank all those who stopped at the scene to assist during this extremely dangerous situation,” said Traffic Sergeant John Lumbard, of the Roads Policing Group. “They showed immense courage and their quick actions almost certainly prevented a tragic outcome.”

The crash, between a blue Vauxhall Vectra and a grey VW Golf, happened on the A171 at around 10am. Police said the Vauxhall was travelling towards Whitby when the car appears to have lost control and crossed the road into the path of oncoming vehicles. The car then struck the VW, which caught fire when it came to rest on the grass verge.

“Due to the brave actions of members of the public, both mum and her child were rescued from the car before it was engulfed in flames,” said TS Lumbard. “Thankfully the baby was uninjured.”

The mother, aged 32 and from Whitby, was taken to James Cook University Hospital with a serious leg injury. Her condition was described as “comfortable”.

An 18-year-old man from Scarborough, a passenger in the Vauxhall, suffered serious injury and was taken by air ambulance to the same hospital. His condition was described as “very poorly”.