Brave Stephen dragged driver from cab inferno

BRITAIN’S bravest trucker has been reunited with the driver he pulled from a flaming lorry.

Stephen Belmont woke in the night to see the truck next to him engulfed in flames.

Running from his own truck in just his pants, the 50-year-old dragged Mike Healey out of the cab seconds before the vehicle was destroyed.

His act was so superhuman he even dislocated Mike’s shoulder as he hauled him from the inferno.

The Welsh hero was honoured with a Betfred Award for his bravery at Hollies Truck Stop in Cannock earlier this year and was then shocked to be reunited with Scouser Mike, 56.

Tearful Stephen said: “I just heard a loud bang, and saw the lorry next to me on fire. I grabbed the man out of the vehicle.

“It was then ablaze and destroyed in eight minutes.

“Police and firemen arrived and said if I hadn’t pulled him out then he would have burnt to death.”

The veteran continued: “Instinct just kicked in.

“After 22 years in the forces, saving lives just comes naturally.”

At a ceremony – lit up by Daily Star Page 3 girl Ellie Foster – guests also heard from trucker Mike.

Paying tribute to his saviour, he claimed he “owed him everything”. He said: “It has been so emotional, it’s so nice to see him again.

“I have four grandchildren, four absolutely wonderful grandchildren.

“They get to have their grandad here at Christmas thanks to him.

“I can’t express with words what I want to say to Stephen.”

The pair have agreed to go for a beer in the new year with their wives. Mike added: “My wife is desperate to meet him, I can’t wait for our families to meet up.”

The reunion comes after bookie Betfred renovated Hollies, which is the world’s oldest truck stop.