Car accident in Spalding brings '˜proper heroes' to the rescue

Rae Atkinson (48) was helping her partner Graham Travis (57) to change a flat tyre on his silver Audi car near St Paul’s Church in Holbeach Road, Spalding, while coming back from a lunch date.

But when the jack holding the car gave way, the Audi landed on Rae’s right foot and left her screaming in agony until help arrived in the shape of Good Samaritans, Scott Biggs (23) of Spalding Commmon and Callum Herd (20) of Spalding.

Rae, a lead trainer with St John Ambulance in South Holland, said: “We were on our way back home from having lunch with my step-daughter in Spalding when I caught the kerb as I was driving round the Twin Bridges.

“Me and my partner felt the tyre go flat so we pulled over onto a grass verge by the church on Holbeach Road and got our stuff out of the boot.

“Then we managed to get the flat tyre off the car before Graham got the new tyre out ready to put on the car.

“I sat myself down, with the new tyre and axle between my legs and my right leg underneath the car which had been jacked up by Graham.

“But while he was getting ready to put the new tyre on, the jack gave way and the car fell onto my right foot.”

Fortunately for Rae, Scott and Callum heard her “horrific scream” as they drove past on Holbeach Road.

Scott said: “Me and Callum were on our way from picking up a friend and as we came past the chip shop, we noticed a guy and his partner trying to change the wheel of their car.

“Then I noticed the car drop down and the lady let out a horrific scream.

“We stopped the car and I ran across to give whatever assistance I could.

“The lady was trapped under the wheel while her partner was frantically trying to get the car jack down in order to then jack up the car again.

“But there was no time for this so I just lifted the front of the car as he pulled his partner out to safety.

“We stayed with them until the emergency services arrived and it was the normal thing to do.

“I hope that Rae is making a speedy recovery and I wish her all the best.”

Rae was also helped by a LIVES First Responder before she was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, where she was treated for a “soft tissue injury”.

“Scott and Callum must have heard my blood-curdling scream before stopping to help us,” Rae said.

“They were proper heroes because they got the car off my foot and put me on a golf bag as I was going into shock.

“Scott also took off his jacket off to use as a pillow for me while Callum went to buy some ice for my foot.

“My injury could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for the lads’ quick actions and the LIVES volunteer who stayed with me until the ambulance arrived.”