TWO men were yesterday hailed as heroes by a judge for rescuing young road accident victims from a flaming car.

Passing motorist Jim Brightwell and friend Nick Worthington went to the aid of the badly injured driver and two teenage passengers shortly after they were involved in a high speed crash.

Durham Crown Court heard that the Ford Orion, taken the previous day, failed to negotiate a roundabout, crossed a grass verge, demolishing a road sign, before coming to rest "wrapped round a lamppost".

Euan Duff, prosecuting, said police estimated the car was travelling at 70mph in a 40mph area prior to the crash.

Mr Brightwell and Mr Worthington stopped on passing the accident scene, on the A1018 Stockton Road in Seaham, east Durham, late on October 11.

They dragged the unconscious 14-year-old front seat passenger and driver, 23-year-old Colin Pearson, from the Orion.

Mr Worthington borrowed a fire extinguisher from a passing taxi to quell the flames, while Mr Brightwell sat with the trapped 16-year-old rear-seat passenger, who had a broken leg.

Firefighters, who arrived a short time later, cut the youth from the wreckage.

Mr Duff said the 14-year-old, who suffered a fractured skull, made a good recovery, while Pearson lost a knee cap.

Pearson, of East Vines, Sunderland, and the two teenage passengers each admitted aggravated vehicle taking.

Sentence on the 16-year-old was adjourned pending preparation of reports.

Barristers for the other two defendants told the court they had not initially stolen the car, but both expressed their gratitude to their rescuers.

Judge Beatrice Bolton praised Mr Brightwell and Mr Worthington, both from east Durham, and awarded each £500 from public funds.

Judge Bolton jailed Pearson for 18 months, plus 136 days unexpired from a previous sentence, and passed a 12-month conditional discharge on the 14-year-old.

Pearson was banned from driving three years and the 14-year-old for two years.