Tesco Drivers Hailed as Heroes for Dramatic Rescue
Two quick-thinking Tesco delivery drivers have been formally recognised as heroes after they saved an elderly man and his dog from a car that burst into flames in a Worcester street. The dramatic incident unfolded on Cranham Drive in Warndon and culminated in Ben Rowe and Leo Kuriakose receiving honours at the Worcestershire Safeguarding Awards.
A Terrifying Scene Unfolds
Ben Rowe and Leo Kuriakose were in the middle of a routine grocery delivery on September 23 when their day took a dramatic turn. "A car came rolling along the road with flames coming from the bonnet," Mr Rowe recounted. Without a second thought, the pair dropped the customer's shopping at their doorstep and rushed towards the danger.
"It was lucky there were two of us there," Mr Rowe explained, emphasising that it took both of them to pull the older gentleman and his pet dog to safety from the blazing vehicle. Mr Kuriakose described the speed at which the fire escalated, stating, "Once we got them out, the flames went up so fast, it was scary." He noted that the shocked driver could only stand and watch as his car was consumed by the fire.
A Fateful Delay and Continued Dedication
In a remarkable twist of fate, the two rescuers revealed they were only present at the scene due to a navigation error. Mr Kuriakose, who is from Bromsgrove, admitted taking a wrong turn during their delivery round, which put them on Cranham Drive several minutes behind schedule. "If that hadn't happened, we wouldn't have been there," he reflected, highlighting the incredible luck of their timing.
After ensuring the man was safe and alerting the emergency services, the two Tesco employees demonstrated immense professionalism by continuing with their delivery round and completing their shift. Their colleague, Matt Prior, noted that flames from the car were visible from the Warndon Tesco store and that, thanks to social media, their heroic actions were already known by the time they returned.
Mr Rowe, who lives in Droitwich, also commented on the reaction of other bystanders, observing that while some people were filming the incident on their phones, nurses from the nearby Warndon Clinic commendably came out to provide care for the rescued driver.
Formal Recognition for Bravery
The duo's courageous actions were officially celebrated at the Worcestershire Safeguarding Awards, held at the Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club on Tuesday, November 18. Professor Keith Brown, Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board, hosted the ceremony and stated that the drivers' swift response was "likely to have saved this gentleman's life." This formal recognition cemented their status as true local heroes whose instincts and bravery made all the difference.
