CAR crash survivors have paid tribute to firefighters who left their picket line to save their lives.

Striking firefighters at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, left the protest to help other emergency services rescue four people trapped inside two cars.

After five days of tornment waiting for his friend to be taken off the critical list, survivor Norman Dale said: "We are so grateful that the firefighters came off the picket line to help the Green Goddess crew, paramedics and police.

"It was really frightening, but with their professionalism, and the kindness of people who stopped to comfort us while we were in shock, we are thankfully making good recoveries."

Mr Dale, 53, and friends Clifford Metcalfe and William McCormick, all from Spennymoor, were in a Ford Fiesta which collided with a Fiat Punto, driven by a 35-year-old Ferryhill woman, on the A167, between Rushyford and Newton Aycliffe, last Saturday.