Bravery award for mother and son

Published 4 Jun 2010 11:35 0 Comments

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A MOTHER and son from Broughton are to receive a bravery award after pulling a man from a burning vehicle in a daring rescue.

Margaret and Scott Wilson will travel to Lothian and Borders Police headquarters in Edinburgh next Friday to be recognised for their courage after witnessing a horrific accident last year.

On March 28 2009 Maragaret was in the passenger seat of the family car giving her son Scott, then 17, a driving lesson on the B712 near Drumelzier, when the car behind them overtook.

The next thing Margaret, 43, remembers is seeing the car hit a pothole and flip into the air before landing upside down in a field beside the road.

The overturned vehicle burst into flames immediately, and that's when Margaret realised she had to act.

Margaret remembers: "I told Scott to make sure the car was well away from the flames and then told my daughter Claire, who was in the back seat, to dial 999.

"I went running over to the car and realised we needed to get the driver out right away as the car could blow any time.

"Apparently Scott and Claire were shouting at me to stay back, but the adrenaline had kicked in and I don't remember hearing them. When I got to the car I could see an arm hanging out and I shouted at Scott to help me get the guy out.

"I don't know exactly how we did it as the doors were all bashed in, but I somehow managed to lift the vehicle and Scott dragged him out."

Amazingly, the driver, 21-year-old Douglas Mathieson of Cardrona, survived the crash with just a few cuts and bruises, but Margaret realises it could have been very different.

"By the time the emergency services got there the car was completely engulfed - it doesn't bare thinking about what could have happened."

And grateful Douglas has stayed in touch with Margaret and her family, meeting them at Christmas for a meal.

But Margaret is modest about her and Scott's award, she told the Peeblesshire News: "We only did what we thought was right.

"I don't remember a lot about the day - I think when you're faced with a situation like that instinct just takes over. I feel a bit shy about receiving all this attention, we only did what anyone else would have done.

"Douglas is a lovely young man and I'm just glad we were able to help him."

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