A man who was one of two heroes to rescue three people from a burning plane on a busy Welsh road says he “still gets emotional talking about it”.
Daniel Nicholson and Joel Snarr, who live in Abergavenny and Cardiff respectively, were this week awarded their highest commendations yet for the heroic event which took place on the A40 in north Monmouthshire in May 2019.
On Tuesday the pair were awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle to recognise their bravery in saving the lives of light aircraft pilot Stuart Moore and passengers Billie Manley and Jack Moore.
The three were pulled from the burning plane seconds before it erupted, and remarkably escaped with minor injuries.
Read more: For more Gwent and Monmouthshire stories go here
Recalling the day, Daniel told WalesOnline: “I had picked up my son from his friend’s house in Monmouth and we were on our way back home. Out of nowhere the plane came crashing into the road from the trees to the left. It hadn’t come from above. It went straight into the central reservation a couple of hundred of yards in front of us.
“There was no time to really take it in. I don’t remember thinking much. I just got out of the car and legged it towards the plane.
“The fire was instant and everywhere, but luckily the plane was upside down and I could get under the wing.
“It looked really bad. All that was going through my mind was ‘let’s see what we can salvage’.
“I began kicking the window to try and break in but it just felt impossible. It was that really hard Perspex style material. At that point it did cross my mind that I’d have to bail because of the flames.
“I saw a little window at the back and managed to get my foot through there. Then all I could hear were screams.”
Daniel, who is a shop manager for Acal BFi, pulled Jack from the plane through the window, before Joel ran over to help.
“It was all happening so quickly I struggle to remember how long it took us, but it must have been minutes,” Daniel said.
“If Joel hadn’t come to get Stuart out I dread to think what would have happened, because I couldn’t have got Stuart out of there.
“It’s difficult to explain because it’s almost like it was meant to happen. We were both there at the right time and if it had happened anywhere else they’d have been gone.”
Daniel said he often still speaks about it with Joel and it still feels surreal and emotional to relive - especially when they met those they saved at the Pride of Britain Awards.
“What sticks out in my memory is the fear - the overriding emotion of failing at that time. I thought at times it wasn’t going to go the right way. I still get emotional to talk about it, how everything seemed to work.
“I still think about it now. Maybe not as much as I used to. For the first few weeks it really did affect us. It’s emotions isn’t it? There were a lot of highs afterwards but when you sit and reflect and talk to the people you’ve saved it hits home.”
While Daniel said he will always be grateful for the recognition he and Joel have received, he hopes the award will be a culmination of the events which have followed the unbelievable incident. You can see our live blog from the day here.
They’ve won commendations from the police and fire service, the Amplifon Award given to brave Britons, the St David’s Award, and a Pride of Britain award - not to mention local hero statuses.
“Straight after it happened social media blew up and it went crazy and the phone went mad. Ever since it’s been a rollercoaster really.
“Of course you don’t think about it at the time - you just do what you can to help, but I have been really surprised by all the attention it’s received since.
“It’s been great. The best was probably Pride of Britain because it was a great night and the kids really enjoyed it.
“The latest award was really lovely too. Princess Anne presented us with the award and she was very friendly and interested.”
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