A WOMAN was rescued from the crumpled wreckage of her car, as it threatened to explode, by the quick thinking of a passing North-East couple.

Retired naval commander David Hughes, 71, and his 68-year-old wife, Elizabeth, discovered two smashed vehicles while driving on the quiet Ingleton to Summberhouse road in Teesdale, County Durham.

Their heroism in saving the woman's life was yesterday recognised with an international award for bravery.

When they spotted the crash, the couple stopped and rushed over to find the driver of a van had been killed. But in the other car, a BMW which had been crushed to just 39 inches wide, they discovered a woman trapped inside.

The car was alight so Mr Hughes, of Eggleston, Teesdale, ran back to his car where he kept a fire extinguisher, which he had bought after witnessing a previous crash.

Meanwhile, his wife comforted the victim and found out how badly hurt she was.

Eventually, Mr Hughes managed to put out the flames, but the car caught fire again

Luckily a Northumbrian Water van driver, David Nevison, 46, pulled up at the scene.

Mr Hughes and Mr Nevision took a container from Mr Nevison's van and between them ran to a nearby stream and carried water back to the crash scene, extinguishing the flames for a second time.

"My wife was the real hero," said Mr Hughes, after receiving his Tofi award from Durham Constabulary chief constable George Hedges in Durham yesterday.

"She was the one who was really focused. It was a nice surprise to get the award, but I'd just like to say this was a real tragedy."

Mr and Mrs Hughes and Mr Nevison, who performed the rescue in 1996, were honoured by the European Samaritans Committee.

At the same ceremony, PC Les Reay, 42, and his dog Ralph received national police awards. Ralph the dog tracked two thieves for a mile and a half through the dark open countryside on the Durham-Northumbria border. He continued even when he was kicked and punched by the thieves.

An alert chemist from Annfield Plain, Robert Pitt, 23, was also presented with an award.

He and Durham CID officer DC Bruce Davies, were honoured for helping to convict a man who was presenting forged prescriptions in the Chester-le-Street area.