A PIZZA delivery driver has been praised for helping a trucker who had become trapped under his vehicle.

Michael Kelly was working on Wednesday evening when he noticed a high-visibility jacket underneath a lorry in a lay-by on the A1, near Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

The 18-year-old, from Catterick Village, pulled over to investigate and found the lorry’s driver, who had become trapped while checking his vehicle.

Mr Kelly, an engineering student at Darlington College, said: “The driver asked me if I could drive a truck which, of course, I could not.

“He explained to me what to do and I got in the cab and reversed slowly. He told me he had been there for ages, so I just thought I would give it a go and see what happened.”

Thanks to Mr Kelly’s intervention, the driver was freed unhurt.

After a word of thanks from the driver, the pair swiftly parted, with the teenager explaining that he was late for his pizza delivery in Bedale.

Mr Kelly said: “I was about 20 minutes late with the delivery, but the customer did not seem to mind too much – he was just happy to have his dinner.”

Although the identity of the truck driver remains a mystery, a police spokesman confirmed that reports of a broken down lorry, matching the location and times, had been received.

Mr Kelly’s father, Peter, who works overseas, paid tribute to his son. He said: “I think when he reflects, the driver will realise how lucky he was.

“He could have been there all night and quite possibly crushed to death.

“All too often and easily, young people get tarnished with the yob culture brush.

“Even though he was busy, Michael still took time to help and thought nothing of it.”

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