A FORMER Holyrood School student who helped to save a mum carrying her baby and young child from the wreckage of the M5 crash in November 2011 in which seven people were killed has been honoured for his bravery.

Tom Hamill was travelling on the motorway with girlfriend Katharine Lane, another ex-Holyrood student, and his father George Hamill when they were caught up in the tragedy.

He heard children crying and a woman calling for help from one of the vehicles and despite explosions from a lorry fire moved them to safety and cared for them.

Tom was one of 24 heroes presented with accolades by Acting Chief Constable John Long and Richard Lloyd, the High Sheriff of Somerset, for their actions.

Following the crash, Tom told the News: “The fog was so thick it was like driving into a tin of emulsion. It was a black sheet – you couldn’t see anything. 'I’d slowed right down and veered into the central reservation, and I think that saved our lives. The thing that made me realise how bad it was, was that you could hear the thud of cars hitting lorries.

“One car overtook us going at about 60mph or 70mph and just crashed straight into a lorry.

“One woman who was carrying a baby and child was desperate – she was screaming ‘take my baby’, so I took it and carried it over the central reservation, where I was met again by the mother, who also had a toddler.

“While I was there a bumper flew off a car and zoomed over my head – I heard my girlfriend scream ‘watch out’.”

Chard & Ilminster News: SWNS_M5_AERIAL_14.JPG

The scene of the crash. Photo: SWNS

Tom also helped another woman who survived the crash but was suffering from shock and had fainted.

Tom and Katherine were asked by ambulance crew to act as ‘triage’ for the ‘walking wounded’ to lead them to safety and monitor their status.

Tom later returned to the crash scene to try and help others but was driven back by heat, by which point the emergency series were fully operational.

Tom and Katherine were both taken to Yeovil District Hospital and given time off work to recuperate.

ACC Long said: “The citations evoked the awful situation people found themselves in and how they all acted with such courage to help those trapped and injured.

“We heard how members of the public showed incredible bravery at the scene of a collision which was the worst for decades.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “What happened on that November evening was a terrible event but the response showed the best of the community as people rallied around to help.

“I am pleased we were able to recognise some of the very best displays of courage, dedication and selflessness from people in the first moments after the collision as well as those who worked diligently during a long and difficult investigation.”