Bravery award for quick-thinking dad

Bravery award from the Royal Humane Society presented to Graham Smith Scott by the Mayor Cllr. Derek Heffernan, for his actions helping out when a car crashed onto on a 100 foot cliff ledge in Whitby. Back left to right, Theo Smith Scott, Graham Smith Scott, Dominie Smith Scott (17), Pat Jones (mother-in-law). Front left to right, Lorca Smith Scott, Mayor Cllr. Derek Heffernan, Graham's wife Vicci Smith Scott, Halle Smith Scott.

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A BRAVE dad who leapt into action to help prevent a potentially fatal disaster while on holiday in Whitby has collected an award commending his quick-thinking actions.

Graham Smith Scott, from Moorside, Oldham, ran to the aid of a driver who had crashed his car on a 100ft cliff edge and was stranded on a ledge last year.

While fellow hero Nigel Beevis, from Redcar, helped the driver out of the vehicle via through a window, Graham (51) realised families on the beach below could still be in danger.

He ran down to the beach and cleared the area below the car while emergency services arrived and secured the scene.

Father-of-four Graham said: "Nigel was helping the driver out of the car, but the engine was still going and the wheels were spinning.

"I thought if it moved or fell off the edge, it would kill anyone on the beach below. It's a popular spot for families and people looking for fossils so I ran down to warn them and clear the area."

Luckily the car remained still and emergency services arrived to take over from Graham and Nigel, with the brave duo only realising the danger they had put themselves in when they saw fire crews using safety equipment and harnesses on the cliff ledge.

Graham said: "It was close to the edge, so it would only have meant a miss-step or a trip for something to have happened. I know my wife Vicci was concerned that I'd risked it to help out, but it was just instinct."

After the event at Saltwick Bay on October 26, Graham's daughter Dominie got in touch with the Royal Humane Society about the pair's brave actions, and the society decided to commend Graham and Nigel with a Testimonial on Parchment award.

The award recognises where someone has put themselves in danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. Graham picked up his prize from the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Derek Heffernan, during a ceremony at the Mayor's Parlour, surrounded by his family, this week.

Graham said: "I am shocked and humbled to have been given this award ­- I never expected it.

"I'm pleased Nigel has been recognised ­- he was the real hero on the day. It could not have been easy getting the man out of the car and away from danger.

"I just wanted to make sure nobody else could have been hurt."