A Tesco delivery driver transformed an ordinary round into an act of extraordinary bravery when he rescued an elderly woman and her dog from a vehicle engulfed in flames.
The dramatic incident unfolded on the A259 in Felpham, near Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Michael 'Mick' Hance, 53, was completing his delivery route when he witnessed a catastrophic crash. A blue Honda Jazz, carrying an 80-year-old woman and her pet dog, collided with another car and careered into a tree before bursting into flames.
Without a second thought for his own safety, Mick abandoned his van and sprinted towards the inferno. "The car was filling with smoke and you could see the flames starting," he recounted. "I just knew I had to get them out."
A Race Against Time
As the fire intensified, Mick wrenched the passenger door open. He found the disorientated pensioner, who uses a walking frame, struggling to escape. He managed to unbuckle her seatbelt and pull her to safety, moving her to a secure distance from the blazing vehicle.
But the rescue wasn't over. The woman's terrified dog was still trapped inside. Mick immediately rushed back to the smoke-filled car, successfully freeing the pet and reuniting it with its grateful owner.
Another passerby also stopped to help, using a fire extinguisher in a valiant attempt to control the blaze before emergency services arrived.
Praise for a Humble Hero
Fire crews and paramedics from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service soon arrived at the scene. The elderly woman was treated for shock and minor injuries. Authorities have unequivocally stated that the driver's swift actions prevented a tragedy.
Despite being hailed as a hero, Mick Hance remains remarkably humble. "I'm not a hero, I just did what anyone else would have done," he insisted. "I was just in the right place at the right time. I'm just glad I was able to help."
A spokesperson for Tesco praised their employee's selflessness, stating, "We are incredibly proud of Mick. His quick thinking and bravery in such a terrifying situation are truly commendable." This heartening story serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible courage found in everyday communities.
