Stevie Snaddon and Ally Patterson were first on the scene of the accident on October 21st. The car had overturned and come off the A84, with the driver still inside.
Stevie and Ally immediately stopped their waste vehicle to help. While Stevie called the emergency services and directed traffic around the accident scene, Ally approached the car and found the driver upside down on the car’s roof. Thankfully, the driver was able to indicate that he was not seriously injured.
“As we drove up we could see that the wheels were still spinning, so it must have just happened,” said Ally, who has worked for the Council waste service for more than 20 years. “Obviously, you are wondering what you are going to see, but as I approached the car I could see there was someone in there trapped. His arm was moving and he was able to indicate that he was ok and there was no –one else in the car.”
Both men knew they had to help get the driver out as quickly as possible.
“We saw the back window was smashed,” said Stevie, “We took the parcel shelf out, took out everything that was in the boot, and the driver was able to crawl along the roof of the car and come out the back.”
Ally and Stevie stayed with the badly-shaken driver until the emergency services arrived.
While both men tried to downplay their role in the rescue, Ally said he knew exactly what the driver was experiencing. Some years ago his car had aquaplaned on the M80 and he and his wife had ended up trapped inside.
“You’re just terrified something is going to hit you, so we knew we had to get him out,” said Ally.
It’s not the first time the pair have had to step in to help. Because they are often the first on the roads in the morning on our rural routes, they have sometimes helped free sheep and other animals who have become stuck in fences or wandered onto the roads.
Kevin McCormick, Waste Services Manager, said it was typical of Ally and Stevie to step in without hesitation. “It wouldn’t have occurred to them to drive on by,” he said. “Their quick actions meant a potentially dangerous situation had a positive outcome.”
Carol Beattie, Chief Executive (Interim) said: “We’re very proud of the selfless action shown by Ally and Stevie. They represent the very best of Stirling Council staff – everyday heroes who go above and beyond for us as a Council, our people and our communities.”
Councillor Jim Thomson, Convener of the Environment and Housing Committee, said: “I’d like to thank Ally and Stevie for their public-spirited actions. It’s a great example of Stirling Council staff stepping up to help in any way they can.”