Teignmouth firefighter Tim Phelps was presented with a Letter of Commendation by Devon Fire and Rescue Services chief fire officer Paul Young at Oldway Mansions on Tuesday night as part of a long service and good conduct presentation.

Mr Phelps, a part-time taxi driver for Bryans Taxis, and a retained firefighter, who lives in Teignmouth, was presented with the commendation for his part in the treatment of a road traffic accident casualty last August.

He helped to stabilise a man who had been trapped under a van at the Orchard Gardens roundabout and stayed with him until the ambulance and the rest of the fire crew arrived.

'Tim was on his way to the fire station responding to the RTA,' said Ian Radford, Teignmouth station officer.

'When he came across the incident on his way down, he decided to stop and render assistance as it looked like a serious accident.

'A man had been run over and was trapped underneath the vehicle, so Tim climbed underneath and, using a car jack, endeavoured to raise the vehicle off the casualty pending the arrival of the ambulance and fire crews.

'The man's head was trapped and Tim stayed with him under the vehicle, rendering first aid and reassuring him that help was on its way.

'At no time did he give any regard to his own safety and he stayed there until paramedics and firefighters were able to recover the casualty. This commendation is well deserved.'

The man Mr Phelps helped survived his injuries and Mr Phelps was put forward for the commendation on the recommendation of divisional fire officer Graham Jackson, who attended the accident as the supervisory officer.

Ambulance officers who attended the accident also advised Mr Radford of the exceptional work that Mr Phelps had done and said they felt it appropriate that the senior management of Devon Fire and Rescue Service be made aware of it.

'It was an instinctive reaction' said Mr Phelps, of his actions that night. 'I was shocked but happy when I found out about the commendation and I accepted it not just for myself but for the rest of my colleagues past and present who have trained me and enabled me to do this job'.