A couple who rescued an 83-year-old woman from a crashed car have been hailed local heroes for their quick thinking .

On Wednesday, May 2, parents were waiting to collect their children from Arbory primary school in Ballabeg when the crash happened.

’We heard a loud bang. It sounded like a wheelie bin being blown over,’ said Zara Chadwick, 28, who with husband Matthew, 32, was collecting their three children.

’It was surreal, like something out of a Transformers film,’ said Zara.

’The car clipped the hedge and it took her up, it did a full turn and landed on the wheels again.’

They sprang into action. Matthew leapt over the car park wall and fence and got to the crashed vehicle before anyone else.

He was soon followed by Zara who was already on her mobile phone requesting assistance from the emergency services.

Also on the scene was another waiting parent, Antony Corlett, from Colby, who said: ’Matthew had established that the vehicle was locked and that he couldn’t access the casualty from either door or the boot.

’The casualty was not responding, she appeared slumped in her seat and couldn’t unlock the doors.

’The windscreen was smashed but still intact and the rest of the vehicle windows were still intact.

smash

’I was looking to see which window would be the safest and most appropriate window to smash in order to gain access and not cover the casualty in broken glass.

’Matthew had some how managed to pull the top edge of the driver’s door open wide enough to get his arm through.

’He was struggling to keep the door open wide enough and reach down as far as the locking mechanism to unlock the door.

’It was a selfless act which was dangerous and physically demanding.

’I imagine that he’d certainly have a sore arm and chest if not some bruising.

He managed to reach the door lock and I used the door handle to open the door and release his arm.’

He added: ’Zara then stepped in to deal with the casualty and relay the information to the emergency services.

’She was firm but polite and caring.

’I observed the way that she spoke to the casualty and reassured her.’

A nurse, who was in a passing car, also turned up, but it seems Zara had it under control.

’Zara stayed with the casualty throughout with the police and fire service in attendance and up to the point that the casualty was transferred to the ambulance.’

Zara, a full time mum and Matthew, a milkman have no first aid training.

Both said they didn’t even think about what they were doing.

It was only when the emergency services asked was there any fluid coming from the car - there was - did it occur to Zara this could be dangerous.

Even if the danger had occurred to Matthew, he’d have done the same he said.

’Something kicks in.

’You could not leave her in there.’

The lady, who is 83, walked to the ambulance and was admitted to hospital.

Antony said: ’We’re all quick to be critical and I believe that not enough is ever said about people that do this kind of thing.

’This is what heroes in the community is about.’