Bravery honour for fire crash boy

Rabbie McGowan and his mother at the bravery award ceremony

An 11-year-old boy who freed his mother and his best friend from a burning car is being recognised for his bravery.

Robert McGowan, known as Rabbie, forced open a car door window from inside the burning vehicle, and helped his mother, Karen, and friend, Tom, escape.

The car hit the central reservation on the A3 in Surrey at Thursley after it went out of control, in December.

Paramedics are presenting Rabbie with a certificate at Grayhott Scout Hall, Hampshire.

Rabbie said: "I don't remember a lot, but I remember being in the car on its side and I remember the fire.

"I didn't have time to be scared, I was just thinking about how to get out of the fire."

His mother Karen said: "I was trying to open my door and window in the front, but they wouldn't move. The back doors were jammed too.

"Rabbie managed to force the handle on the rear window until it had opened a bit.

Quick-thinking actions

"Then he pushed at the glass until there was a big enough gap to escape.

"He got himself and Tom out, before helping me through the window too."

She added: "The car was destroyed very quickly and I dread to think what would have happened if Rabbie had not acted so quickly.

"I'm so proud of Rabbie. Not many people would be that brave or calm at any age, let alone at 11."

Paramedic John Vivian said: "If he had not acted so very quickly then all three would have perished.

"I have worked for the ambulance service for 14 years and have never seen bravery like this."