A POSTMAN dragged a man from the mangled wreckage of a burning car despite suffering serious leg injuries.

Worcester postman Keith Jones burned both hands pulling free the front-seat passenger of a car after it was in a head-on crash with his post van. Mr Jones has been shortlisted for the First Class People Award by the Royal Mail alongside Pershore postman Nick Davis, who saved a man from drowning after he was swept away while trying to cross a ford.

Mr Jones broke his left knee, gouged his right knee and badly bruised his chest following the crash between Little Comberton and Pershore on Thursday, December 15 2005.

He braved flames coming from under the bonnet to drag the man free, burning both hands as he wrenched open the door.

Mr Jones, aged 44, from Lansdowne Road, Worcester, has been told by doctors he will suffer pain in his knees for the rest of his life.

He said: "After the crash I was a bit dazed and shaken up. I turned around and thought nobody has got out of the car'.

"I managed to prise the passenger door open and the flames had already started to take hold."

The other two men, a driver and back seat passenger, scrambled free but all three collapsed by the side of the road because of their injuries.

Mr Jones, with the help of another driver, pulled the men clear. By the time fire crews arrived, both vehicles were smouldering wrecks after flames spread to the post van.

He said: "It was automatic. I acted without thinking about it. I didn't see it as brave at the time. It was just the adrenaline - you just do it. If the car hadn't been on fire I might not have thought about it that way. We are all very lucky to be alive."

He was admitted to hospital on Christmas Day - 10 days after the accident - barely able to breathe and was signed off work for three months because of his injuries, returning in March 2006 on light duties.

His wife Suzanne Jones, aged 52, also a postwoman, says her husband is far too modest.

She said: "I was petrified when I heard he had an accident. I work nights in Worcester and they kept trying to phone me but I was in bed.

"In the end Keith's brother came round and knocked on the door. He said don't panic but Keith has been in an accident'.

I think he was more than brave - he was a bit silly."

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