Heroes who rushed to save a stricken lorry driver are to be honoured.

Three firefighters and a woman police officer from the Huddersfield area who fought a life and death battle to save the horrifically-injured driver of a crashed lorry are to get national lifesaving awards.

All raced to help the driver when his lorry crashed and overturned on the A629 Calderdale Way at Elland.

The horror crash happened on the afternoon of August 28 and brought traffic to a halt.

Now firefighter Julian Kings, of Birkby, who was off duty at the time and police officer Heather Holberry, who was also off duty, are to receive Royal Humane Society testimonials on parchment.

The other firefighters, Ian Harrop, of Mirfield, and Gavin Shaw, of Marsden, are to receive Royal Humane Society certificates of commendation.

In addition to the awards they are to receive they also won the personal praise of Royal Humane Society secretary, Dick Wilkinson.

As he announced the awards at the Society’s London headquarters he said: “This accident was horrific. The driver’s arm was virtually severed.

“A medical consultant who attended the scene said it was the prompt action taken that saved his life and his arm.

“All four played vital roles in saving the driver and richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”

He said that the articulated lorry, driven by Malcolm Mort, of Bank Road, Carbrook, Stalybridge, crashed on a dual carriageway and came to rest on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Huddersfield Road closed at Ainley Top following the accident on Elland by-pass
Huddersfield Road closed at Ainley Top following the accident on Elland by-pass

Mr Mort was badly injured with his right arm almost severed.

Mr Wilkinson added: “Ms Holberry, who was travelling in the same direction as the truck, and Mr Kings, who was coming the opposite way, were first on the scene.

“Mr Kings was first to reach the driver and with the assistance of Ms Holberry removed the screen of the lorry cab.

“Both of them then began to apply first aid in a bid to stop the bleeding.

“They were joined shortly afterwards by Mr Harrop and Mr Shaw who had been called to the scene by a 999 call. They joined Mr Kings in the cab and helped with the fight to stop the driver bleeding.

“The driver was eventually flown to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance where it was confirmed that his injuries were life-threatening.

“Quite apart from the horrific scene which greeted these four it takes tremendous courage to approach a crashed vehicle.

“There was fuel swilling around. There is always the danger of fire or an explosion but these four put any thoughts of that sort of thing out of their mind and their one aim was to save the driver’s life which thankfully they did.”

No date has been fixed for presentation of the awards, but it is expected to be soon.