Quick-thinking Emily gets Royal honour for lorry smash bravery

TEENAGER Emily Hancock has been honoured for saving the life of a lorry driver who was seriously injured in a motorway smash.

The former Thomas Alleyne's pupil, was on her way to her school prom when she saw a HGV jack-knife and tip over, narrowly missing several cars near junction 19 on the M6 last July.

When it became clear the vehicle could explode, Emily dragged the unconscious man from the cab before administering first aid.

Now the quick-thinking student has been hailed a hero at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

"It all happened so quickly," said 19-year-old Emily, from Kingstone, near Uttoxeter.

"I was on my way to the leavers' ball with my twin brother and two friends when I saw the lorry in the next lane crash into a motorway bridge.

"There was a huge bang as one of its tyres popped and it came flying towards us.

"I was the only one who had first aid training. I used a makeshift bandage on the driver's head and comforted him until the ambulance arrived.

"I just kept calm and did what I had to do. My instincts took over. It must have been quite a strange sight as my hair was all curly ready for the ball."

The impact was so violent that pieces of metal were propelled in the air and a vast quantity of diesel was spilled on the carriageway sparking fears of an explosion.

The lorry driver sustained a deep head wound in the accident but later made a full recovery.

"It was a huge weight off my shoulders when I learnt he was OK," said Emily, who has been a cadet with the Uttoxeter division of the St John's Ambulance for seven years.

"I still get flash backs but I'm putting it behind me.

"Everybody keeps calling me a hero but I feel like I did what anyone else would do in the same situation.

"To receive an honour is a great privilege."

Emily, who is studying medicine at Leeds University, was one of 70 cadets to receive a personal congratulation from Princess Anne at the annual St John Ambulance Young Achievers' Reception.

And her parents Adrian and Elaine Hancock could not be prouder.

Mother-of-four Elaine said: "I think she is a little bit embarrassed by all the praise but her actions really deserve to be recognised."

Twin brother Nathan added: "We are all really proud of her."

Emily had only been driving for one year when the accident happened and three months on she is still terrified of driving on the motorway.

Fortunately she was able to rely on some family help to get her back on the road.

"I find it really scary but luckily my dad is a driving instructor so he has helped to rebuild my confidence," she said.

"If it happened again I would do the same thing. I'm just glad I could put my first aid training to use."

Maureen Upton, the county commander of St John Ambulance Staffordshire said: "It is testament to the hard work and skill of all our young people, including Emily, that Her Royal Highness welcomed them to Buckingham Palace to recognise their outstanding work. Emily acted instinctively when faced with a very dangerous situation. She really deserved to be included in such a special day."