A Highland gritter driver has been praised after his quick-thinking rescued a driver whose car had plunged down an embankment and landed in a stream.
John Dermody from Newcastle was driving along the B9007 near Ferness, south of Nairn, on December 28 in snowy conditions when his car went off the road and down the steep embankment.
He was able to phone emergency services to tell them about the accident but unable to give them details of where he was.
Luckily for him, gritter driver Derek Reid, who lives in Nairn, spotted the car skid tracks and stopped to investigate.
He was able to scramble down the slope and reach Mr Dermody, who was trapped in his car.
The driver then stayed with Mr Dermody until emergency services arrived.
Highland councillors praised Mr Reid’s quick-thinking at the start of a environement, development and infrastructure committee meeting today.
He was presented with a quaich and thanked for coming to Mr Dermody’s aid.
Councillor Allan Henderson said: “Derek demonstrated above and beyond public service when he came to the rescue so on behalf of all the committee we wanted to thank him for his quick actions.”
A modest Mr Reid said: “I only did what any of my colleagues would have done.
“Coming to the assistance of drivers, especially in the winter, is something we all do, so I see this presentation and thanks not just for me but all my colleagues.”
