Jack Steer, from Cwmbran, has been awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for rescuing three teenagers and a 51-year-old man from blazing vehicles following a crash in Newport. The incident occurred just before midnight on September 30, 2025, on Malpas Road.
Rescue from the burning car
Hearing screams from inside a burning car, Steer ignored the danger and pulled three 17-year-olds – two boys and one girl – from the vehicle. He opened the driver's door, pulled the driver out, dragged him to safety, and then returned to drag the girl out. He then pulled the third youth from the back before going to help the driver of the other vehicle.
When he reached the second vehicle, the man was trapped inside, so Steer tried to force the door open. He ran to his own car to get tools, but found he could not pull the driver out because his legs were trapped. The man was freed when emergency services arrived.
Bravery recognised
Gwent Police confirmed that four people were taken to hospital following the crash. The Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal, which honours bravery in saving human life, is rarely awarded. Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "Mr Steer was a true hero. If a car is on fire, as this one was, there is always a real risk that it could explode at any time and kill or seriously injure any-one near it."
"Mr Steer was putting his own life on the line when he went back and forth to the blazing car three times to pull the occupants out to safety and then he went to the other vehicle nearby to try and get the driver out. He showed enormous courage and richly deserves the award he is to receive. Very few of these medals are awarded but without doubt this one is very well deserved."
Gwent Police officers were called to Malpas Road, near Newport, at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to reports of a collision involving two cars. Three people from one car and the driver of the other car were taken to hospital.
