A teen and his neighbour from Whitland, who saved the life of his father after he was trapped under a tractor, are on their way to 10 Downing Street in November to be personally congratulated by the Prime Minister, after being crowned National Life Savers in the annual Vodafone Life Savers Awards 2007. The awards were launched in April to honour the unsung heroes - both in the emergency services, as well as ordinary members of the public - behind Britain's most remarkable lifesaving rescues. Thomas Wade (15) and Graham Scourfield, who were nominated by Ray Steel, Group Scout Leader of the 2nd St. Clears Scout Group, will be welcomed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to a special reception at 10 Downing Street on November 8, where they will be presented with their awards. Vodafone has become an ambassador for the emergency services after creating the Vodafone Life Savers Awards six years ago as a national tribute. The awards highlight how mobile phones have revolutionised the vital link between the public and the emergency services when minutes matter - now becoming an essential part of anyone's first aid kit. Thomas and Graham's entry - which fought off competition from hundreds of other inspiring stories of bravery - was selected by a high-profile judging panel, which included Gulf War veteran John Nichol, TV personality Nell McAndrew, and actor Martin Kemp, plus Vodafone UK's CEO, Nick Read, and awards charity partner the Royal Humane Society. Nick Read, Vodafone UK chief executive officer, said: "The entries this year were truly inspiring and selecting just 10 National Life Savers from so many deserving stories was an extremely tough task. "However, what makes this story even more incredible is that Thomas Wade and Graham Scourfield are members of the public who inadvertently found themselves in an extraordinary situation - and had to make a split-second decision that made the difference between life and death.  "Their brave actions were instrumental in saving Bill Wade's life that day and Vodafone is delighted to have the opportunity of honouring them in these national awards."

Life-Saving Story

Farmer Bill Wade was driving his tractor in woodlands when it overturned, trapping him underneath and crushing his upper body. Without the swift intervention of his son, Thomas, and close friend, Graham Scourfield, Bill would have died before the emergency services could have reached him. When the accident happened, Thomas ran back to the farmhouse for a car jack which, although not strong enough to free his father, raised the tractor just enough to relieve the immense pressure of the two-ton vehicle. Then, realising Bill was in further danger from spilling diesel and brake fluid, he made a channel to divert the highly intoxicating liquids away from the trapped man. Meanwhile, Bill's close friend and neighbour, Graham Scourfield, had been alerted by a call from Thomas and had arrived on the scene with a loading shovel. The site of the accident was at the foot of a narrow track, with a sheer drop to one side. The emergency services decided that access was too narrow for their vehicles to negotiate safely and that lifting equipment would have to be carried in. Graham Scourfield knew his friend couldn't wait that long and, although realising that one slip would make him a casualty too, drove his loading shovel down the slope. Performing another dangerous manoeuvre, he managed to position his vehicle above the overturned tractor and lifted it off his friend. His courageous and skilful driving allowed the emergency services to reach Bill and free him, rushing him to hospital where he made a good recovery. Thomas, a member of the Blue Boar Explorer Scouts group in St. Clears, was presented with a Silver Cross, the third highest award for chivalry given by the Scout Association, for his actions that day. He and Graham Scourfield were also awarded a Parchment Testimonial by the Royal Humane Society and named a National Finalist in the Vodafone Life Savers Award in recognition of their quick thinking and their determination to save a man's life, without regard to their own safety.