A HERO who dragged a man from the blazing wreckage of a car is to receive a top lifesaving honour.Jason Woods rescued 45-year-old James Garrard after spotting his vehicle crashed into a tree on Wood Lane, Pulham Market.

A HERO who dragged a man from the blazing wreckage of a car is to receive a top lifesaving honour.

Jason Woods rescued 45-year-old James Garrard after spotting his vehicle crashed into a tree on Wood Lane, Pulham Market.

The 20-year-old managed to drag a semi-conscious Mr Garrard to safety with no thought for the danger he was placing himself in.

On Monday he was awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum - one of the country's top bravery honours - after being nominated by Norfolk police.

But he said: “The most important thing is knowing I saved a man's life.”

The bricklayer, of Beech Croft, Costessey, was a passenger in his girlfriend's car in September last year when they spotted the crash.

“At first we thought the police would come to deal with it,” Mr Woods said.

“But then I noticed the man trapped and flames coming from the car. I couldn't just leave him there so I opened the door and pulled him out. He was on fire but I managed to put the flames out by rolling him on the grass.

“I sat with him until the emergency services arrived. It was all over so quickly and I didn't have time to think.

“It is nice to be recognised with this award but it is much more important to know that he is alive and well because of what I did.”

Mr Garrard, from Long Stratton, was rushed to Chelmsford Hospital where he was admitted to the burns unit in a critical condition. The pair have not been in touch since but Mr Woods said he was pleased Mr Garrard was recovering from the ordeal.

The Humane Society's secretary Dick Wilkinson praised Mr Woods for his actions. He also appealed for information from the public about any incidents in which people who have put their lives at risk to save others or who have carried out a successful resuscitation.

He said: “We need to be told about incidents in which people have taken this sort of action in order to make our awards, and want to hear from anyone who thinks they know of an incident in which an award should be given.”

No date has yet been scheduled for the award presentation but it is expected be in the near future.