A TEENAGER who was involved in an horrific road crash has finally had the chance to say thank you to the man who saved his life.

Alex Shirra, aged 19, of Ashton-under-Hill, near Evesham, suffered multiple injuries when his car collided with a lorry on the A46 near Dumbleton on July 15.

He had to be cut out of the wreckage by firefighters before being flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where he underwent a six-hour operation to stabilise his condition and temporarily repair his legs and wrist.

However, immediately after the crash and before the emergency services could arrive, the first person on the scene was 46-year-old motorist Andy Russell, of Leicester, who acted swiftly to save Alex’s life.

Alex said: “I don’t remember anything about it as I was unconscious throughout, but apparently the steering wheel was in my chest and Andy ripped it out and threw it across the road.

“He then climbed in through the boot and pushed the dashboard and engine back with his legs because they were crushing me.

"Then he held my head up so I could breathe. He definitely saved my life.”

Alex was unconscious for 12 days. He was kept on the critical ward for eight weeks then spent six weeks on the trauma ward.

He is now back home recuperating and, having made what his parents Bill and Wendy describe as a miraculous recovery, can walk short distances without crutches.

On Friday, Alex made his first trip up to the Star Inn, in his home village. He was greeted by dozens of friends and well wishers, including other members of Ashton-under-Hill Cricket Club.

Alex’s parents had invited Mr Russell and his wife and they came from Leicester to see him. It was an emotional meeting for Andy, Alex and his family, especially as the chances of Alex surviving had been so slim.

Alex’s father thanked everyone for their incredible support since the accident and paid particular tribute to Mr Russell, who he described as a hero.

Mr Shirra said Alex had received superb treatment in hospital, where he had been treated alongside many war heroes who had been injured in Afghanistan.

He said: “You don’t expect to see heroes passing by on the public highway and Alex was very lucky that one such hero did just that.

"Andy was first on the scene and was ultra brave in realising that Alex was in a bad way. His breathing had pretty much stopped.”

Mr Russell said he had acted out of instinct. He said: “It’s just how you are brought up.

"I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t wish to see anything like it again. It’s unbelievable to see Alex tonight.”

He said all emergency services had played a big part and two air ambulances had come to Alex’s aid. His GP also happened to be passing and stopped to help.

Alex works as an electrical apprentice with Clarkson Evans and his parents praised the company for its tremendous support.

The firm has offered him some work in the office until he is able to work on site again and even bought him an iPad to help keep him occupied in hospital.

With Alex making such a good recovery, he is now setting his sights on playing cricket again for Ashton-under-Hill next summer.