A FEMALE soldier who braved a blazing aircraft to rescue a trapped colleague has been decorated for bravery.

Bombardier Helen Burnley, 29, helped to pull out a trapped crew member from the Puma helicopter as smoke poured from the exhausts and fuel leaked from the engine.

Ms Burnley, who serves in the Royal Artillery Regiment, and her section of Army students were on a training day in which Pumas were being used when one of the helicopters crashed at Catterick, North Yorkshire, on April 19 last year.

She evacuated students from the aircraft and stayed behind to free the air loadmaster, whose legs were trapped underneath the wreckage.

An accident investigator said: "It was clear that the loadmaster was trapped and if prompt action had not been taken his survival could not have been guaranteed.

"It was an extremely hazardous situation and the aircraft could have caught fire at any moment.

"Without hesitation and with no regard for her own safety, Bombardier Burnley dug with her bare hands in an attempt to release the loadmaster's legs."

She was soon joined by a platoon sergeant and the two managed to release the man's legs.

Bdr Burnley realised he had major leg injuries and acted promptly by making some makeshift splints to immobilise his legs.

By this time her students had been airlifted to Northallerton Hospital, but she insisted on being reunited with them to check their condition.

Her mother, Ann Burnley, of Starbeck Road, Eastmoor, Wakefield, said: "Helen called me after the crash. When we heard what Helen had done to get everyone out of the helicopter we were so proud of her. She just thought of everybody else and acted instinctively."

An Army spokesman said: "Bombardier Burnley's conduct was selfless and courageous throughout, and her actions were far above those which could be expected from someone of her rank and experience, and she strongly merits an award in recognition of her bravery."

Bdr Burnley, who operates as a surveyor and has served in Bosnia, Cyprus, Germany and the UK, receives a gallantry Commander in Chief's commendation.