Two nurses from King's Lynn have been awarded top national life-saving honours for their fight to save the young victims of a road crash which claimed the life of a 21-year-old.
Emma Simmonds, 34, of Broom Close, South Wootton, said she was 'speechless' when she heard she will be receiving a certificate of commendation by the Royal Humane Society, along with Nicola King, 30, of Stody Drive, South Wootton.
They both arrived at the scene of a crash in Terrington St Clement and found two boys, brothers aged five and eight, unconscious in a car.
The car was driven by Laura Pesterfield, 21, who was hit by a truck on the A17 Lynn Road on December 21, 2015. She was found with head injuries and died at the scene.
The two nurses along with Charles Douse, 62, from Grantham, removed the two boys from the car, cleared their airways and placed them in the recovery position before the ambulance arrived. Ms Simmonds said she was on her way to work when she noticed the car and immediately went out to help.
She said: 'I went into auto pilot, I just got out of my car without thinking really. The car was destroyed, I thought there were three dead bodies.'
With previous A&E experience, Ms Simmonds worked fast to save the two boys after learning it was too late for the driver.
She said: 'It was all a bit of a blur, I can't remember half of what I did.
'It was quite a bit of a shock and hit quite close to home with my two small boys. God forbid if something like that happens to my boys I hope someone will do the same for them.'
Ms King was on her way to her friend's house with her three month old baby when she noticed the car facing the wrong way, adding: 'I stayed with the boys until the ambulance arrived and helped the paramedics where possible.
'I was surprised to receive the award, it's just good knowing the boys are doing well.'
The three life-savers were hailed as heroes by RHS secretary Dick Wilkinson, who said: 'They were, put simply, the right people in the right place at the right time.
'Had it not been for the swift action of Mr Douse, Ms King and Ms Simmonds, the final outcome could have been even more tragic.
'We had three people here who arrived at the scene of a horrific crash separately who immediately began to work as a team and thanks to their team work the lives of these young boys were saved.
'They richly deserve the awards they are to receive.'
Ms Simmonds said: 'It's very nice to be recognised for the award, but I do not feel I did anything spectacular, it is my normal line of work really.'
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