Pair rewarded for rescue bravery

2:10pm Tuesday 18th September 2007

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Farmer Bill Wade owes his life to the quick thinking of his 15-year-old son Thomas and neighbour Graham Scourfield.

Trapped underneath an overturned two ton tractor in woodlands, he would have died if it were not for the quick intervention of the pair.

Their actions have now earned them one of ten top awards in a national contest for unsung heroes. They will visit 10 Downing Street in November to be personally congratulated by the Prime Minister.

The Western Telegraph teamed up with Vodafone to seek local nominations for the company's Life Savers Awards 2007.

Thomas and Graham, of Llanboidy, had their names put forward by Ray Steel, Group Scout Leader of the 2nd St Clears Scout Group.

Their entry fought off competition from hundreds of other inspiring stories of bravery considered by the judging panel, which included Gulf War veteran John Nichol and awards charity partner, the Royal Humane Society.

When Bill Wade's accident happened, Thomas ran back to the farmhouse for a car jack which he used to relieve the pressure of the tractor on his father's upper body. He then made a channel to divert toxic diesel and brake fluid away from the trapped man.

He alerted family friend Graham, who drove over in a loading shovel. In a risky manoeuvre at the foot of a narrow track, with a sheer drop to one side, he positioned the vehicle above the overturned tractor and lifted it off Bill.

Emergency services reached Bill and he was taken to hospital, where he made a good recovery.

Thomas and Graham's bravery has already been honoured. The teenager, a member of the Blue Boar Explorer Scouts in St Clears, has been presented with the Silver Cross, the Scout Association's third highest award for chivalry.

He and Graham were awarded a parchment testimonial by the Royal Humane Society.

Vodafone UK chief executive officer, Nick Read, said: "Thomas Wade and Graham Scourfield had to make a split-second decision that made the difference between life and death."