Brave Oxfordshire Men Honoured

5 October 2012, 00:00

A father and son from Oxfordshire who rescued a pensioner trapped in a car that was seconds away from bursting into flames have been honoured for their bravery.

Builders Michael Kennedy Senior and Michael Junior were driving to work last December when they saw the 67-year-old's car hit a tree and catch fire along the A3400 near Chipping Norton.

The pair realised he was trapped and had to be rescued immediately as smoke billowed from the vehicle.

They managed to free him and drag him to safety before the car burst into flames.

They have been awarded the Chief Fire Officers Commendation of Bravery at a special ceremony held by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue last night.

Two workers at a plastic factory, Batisz Pytko and Arthur Biegala, also received the commendation after they broke through a wall to save a colleague from being trapped in a fire in May. 

He was 1 of 12 members of staff on duty when the fire broke out and was stuck in a room filling up with toxic smoke...the men pulled him to safety and he was treated for smoke inhalation and burns.

80 firefighters were called to the fire at Oxford Plastics' Enstone Plant and smoke could be seen for up to 12 miles away.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said:

“These awards are a small recognition for their personal bravery and we are proud to acknowledge their courage in the face of adversity.

“Their actions were nothing short of heroic. They put their own safety aside in order to help others whose lives were at risk.”