PM thanks hero who risked his own life

Barry Collyer was congratulated by Mr Brown at Number 10 for his brave efforts and the priceless Christmas gift he has given by saving the life of another.

When David Frost's car was hit head-on by a drunk-driver late one night last June, Barry and Kate Collyer were on the scene near their home in Balcombe Road in seconds.

While Mrs Collyer returned to their house to liaise with the emergency services, Mr Collyer set to work, initially helping the drunk driver to safety.

As the door of Mr Frost's car was open and the car alight, he assumed the driver had escaped, but looking closer he saw that Mr Frost was slumped across the passenger seat with his feet trapped under the pedals.

Smoke was billowing through the car and the fire was taking hold extremely quickly.

Without hesitating, Mr Collyer started the task of pulling Mr Frost out of the burning wreck. It was a race against time.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette December 27