THEY have been hailed as heroes after risking their own safety following a horror crash that left two people with life-threatening injuries.

Workmates Ross Baker and David Fielden were travelling home when they came across the aftermath of a head-on collision in which a 55-year-old woman and a five-year-old schoolboy were badly hurt.

One of the people involved in the accident was cradling the child in his arms and pleading “help my boy”. 

The injured woman and her male companion were trapped in the wreckage of their Renault Clio, which was about to burst into flames.

Mr Fielden and Mr Baker managed to rescue the couple after ripping open the doors.

Mr Baker ran back to their van and grabbed two fire extinguishers after smoke started billowing from the Clio’s air vents.

Mr Fielden, 32, stayed with the injured boy, giving him emergency first aid and trying to keep him calm.

The accident happened in Otterbourne Road, Shawford, on Wednesday evening. The boy was a passenger in a silver-coloured Citroen and the woman was a passenger in the other car.

They were both taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries and were said to be in a serious condition last night.

Commenting on the action taken by Mr Fielden and Mr Baker, the chairman of Compton and Shawford Parish Council, Mike Southgate, said: “They would appear to be heroes.

“We would also like to thank the emergency services and all the other people who went to aid of those involved in the collision.”

Mr Fielden and Mr Baker, both from Southampton, were on their way home when they came across the accident and ran to help the injured.

Mr Fielden said: “A man sitting on the pavement had a child in his arms and was saying ‘help my boy’. The little lad was conscious but had a really nasty laceration on his head.

“Two people were trapped in the other car. Smoke was coming from the vehicle and there was a strong smell of burning.

“Someone was trying to get them out but couldn’t open the door – so I yanked it as hard as I could. 

“Quite a few other people were involved as well. An off-duty doctor went around checking on everyone’s condition and a lot of neighbours came out with towels, lights and chairs.

“I just did what I’d expect anyone else to do in the same situation. The real heroes were the police, the fire brigade and the ambulance people.”

Mr Baker, 39, added: “As I leaned in to speak to the driver of the Clio smoke started billowing from the air vents and I knew we had to get them out.”

Police are investigating the cause of the collision. The drivers of the two cars involved were both unhurt.