Three volunteers have been given a bravery award after saving a rider who crashed during a Manx Grand Prix race.

Cathie McGurgan, Marc Clarke and Linda Howe came to the aid of the biker, who was on fire after the smash at the entry to Jubilee Oak in Braddan during the Newcomers’ Race.

The drama unfolded on August 29 when the rider lost control of his bike and crashed into fencing with both him and the bike going on fire.

He was thrown off his machine into the fence and was struck by the bike sustaining multiple injuries that rendered him incapable of moving.

Cathie, Marc and Linda had been on duty at Jubilee Oak all day and rushed to save the stricken man, getting him away from the blazing bike before the engine exploded.

Marc, who is a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Hogg Motorsport Association, said: ’We managed to put the fire out on him and pull him out of the fire. It was just luck that we were there really. It was good all round teamwork.

’We just all jumped in. You don’t really think about it. I’m sure anyone else would have done the same.’

Marc is a mechanic with Manx Independent Carriers and lives in Douglas.

He continued: ’I have been on duty at a lot of incidents. It’s not the worst one I’ve been at but it’s the first time I’ve seen someone on fire.

’There are a lot of crashes in that spot. I’ve never seen someone come in that fast before.

’I did think, looking back after seeing some of the pictures, it was a bit dodgy, a bit close. But I only had minor burns on the side of my face.

’We dropped him off at casualty and went back out on the course for the restart.’

Chairman of the Hogg Motorsport Association, Stuart Greaves, presented the three with a certificate of bravery for their heroic actions.

Stuart said: ’The courageous actions of the Hogg Motorsport team at that location prevented an already difficult situation from becoming immeasurably worse.

’Without regard for their own safety they proceeded to extricate the casualty from the fire, whereupon the petrol tank of the bike exploded.

’The crew themselves suffered minor burns, but in spite of that, continued to move the casualty to a safe location where they administered life-saving first aid measures by removing his helmet and clearing his airway.

’The rider concerned is still in hospital and is likely to be so for some time as a result of his significant injuries.

’If it was not for the brave actions of the unpaid volunteers of the Hogg Motorsport Association the rider may well have died in the flames.’

The Hogg Motorsport Association consists of 17 volunteers, all of whom are well experienced in motorsport events.

Members of the crew include three doctors, two paramedics and a full-time ambulance technician. All crew have a full First Aid at work qualification.

In addition most of the crew have successfully completed an emergency medical technician’s course and paramedic assist and paediatric courses.