The rescuers praised by fire crews for saving a woman and her baby from a burning car all insisted: “We’re no heroes”.
Neil Hart, of Golcar, was joined by three people on their way to a wedding in dragging the badly-injured woman from her car and lifting her baby girl to safety as fire broke out under the bonnet.
Michelle Shirtliffe, Khalid Saleem and Jamie Shaw joined Mr Hart in getting the stricken pair out of their car after a terrifying head-on crash at Scapegoat Hill.
.But 45-year-old Mr Hart and Ms Shirtliffe, 27, both said: “We did exactly what anyone else would have done”.
Mr Hart saw the head-on crash at Scapegoat Hill on Saturday as he and his wife Dawn were taking their daughter Charley and several friends to Charley’s 8th birthday party.
A BMW and the young mother’s Vauxhall Corsa collided head-on in Round Ings Road.
Rescue teams called to the scene said those who went to help at the scene “saved the lives” of the injured woman and baby.
Elland Fire Station Watch Commander Stephen Bates said their prompt actions saved them.
Mr Bates, said: “I cannot praise highly enough the prompt actions of those who stopped to help this young mother and her baby which saved their lives.
“A fire had started in the engine and the woman driver was trapped having suffered serious leg injuries. Her baby had also suffered facial and minor head injuries.
“Those who stopped managed to get her, and her baby, to safety where they were cared for by another group of people who had been on their way to a wedding.
“The person who had rescued them then went back and put out the fire.
“The group who gave first aid also did a fantastic job and were not the least bit concerned for their smart wedding clothing and gave incredible support to the woman and the fellow motorist.”
Mr Hart, of James Street, said: “Both Dawn and I had cars full of children on their way to Charley’s party. I was immediately behind the BMW as we came down from Scapegoat Hill.
“I stopped and ran to see how I could help. The BMW driver was shaken up but said he was OK, but the young woman driving the Corsa was in a bad way.
“The baby in the back had a huge lump on her head and her face was all bloody. A lady who was on her way to a wedding lifted her out and carried her to the side.
“The bonnet of the Corsa had crumpled up and I could see a fire had started. There looked to be petrol or something leaking out so I and another guy from the wedding party managed to force the door and dragged her out. She was screaming and was in a lot of pain but I knew we had to get her out.
“I only did what anyone else would have done. I’m certainly not a hero.
“Charlie and her friends were a bit shaken up but they went on to have a great time at the party”.
Ms Shirtliffe, of Brackenhall, was on her way to a friend’s wedding at The Pennine Manor with partner Khalid, 33, and friend Jamie, 26, in a taxi.
She said: “The crash had just happened as we came up the road and we ran to help. I could see a baby in the back with blood all over her face and there was a man trying to help the mother.
“I got the baby and ran down the road but the baby suddenly went all funny and I was very scared. I laid her on the ground and tilted her head to one side, and she suddenly started to cry. I was so relieved.
“Khalid and Jamie were helping the man with the mother, and someone shouted the car was on fire. We never stopped to think. Someone got an extinguisher and put out the fire as they dragged the driver out.
“There was blood all over my arms and dress from the baby, but we just did what we could. We managed to get to the hotel for the wedding and I’m just glad everyone was okay”.
A police spokesman said: “We were called at 11.35am on Saturday to reports of a two -ehicle road traffic collision on Round Ings Road involving a BMW and a Corsa.
“A 25-year-old woman driver of the Corsa suffered serious leg injuries and was flown by the air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary. Her 10-month-old child was also flown to the hospital with facial injuries.
“A 24-year-old man was also injured and taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the collision.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101.”
