Telford bookie is hailed a crash rescue hero

A betting shop worker was today hailed a hero after rescuing an elderly man from a smoke-filled car moments after it crashed.

The blue Audi smashed into the front door of PCB solicitors in High Street, Dawley, causing extensive damage to both the building and the car.

Mark Robinson had just finished his shift at Ladbrokes and was in the shopping in the nearby Co-Op when he heard a loud bang.

"I could tell the crash was quite bad and I ran outside and saw a lot of smoke billowing out and smoke inside the vehicle," he said.

Mr Robinson, 43, from Admaston, said the door was jammed and it took three attempts to wrench it open before he could help the man.

He said: "The gentleman, who looked to be in his 80s, was sitting inside and seemed to be dazed.

"The airbag had gone off and he had a cut to his head. I think he was in shock.

"Someone shouted 'get him out now' as it looked like it might set on fire. Myself and another man pulled him out and took him into the Co-op.

"We also had to retrieve his walking stick and glasses from the car. It was quite a bad crash."

He added: "Normally it is a very busy street and if somebody had been walking past they would have had it."

Labrokes manager Stewart Wimbush praised Mr Robinson's actions.

"You do not know how you would react in a situation like that.

"There was smoke in the car and some people just walk away but I think he is a hero."

Customers John Lowe and Alan James agreed. Mr Lowe said: "He is a hero. And he is a really nice guy as well."

Oliver Nicholas, a solicitor at PCB, said they were having the damage assessed following Monday's accident.

He said: "We do not know the cost of the damage but we have got someone out to make the door secure but it is something for the insurance to sort out.

"Luckily we have a side door we can use."

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "The car appeared to have gone into a building causing minor damage to the solicitors' shop, but the car took most of the damage."

By Judith Sanders