Hero Scots Asda worker saves driver trapped inside car after crashing into ice filled ditch

An Asda worker rushed to the rescue of a driver trapped inside a car after she crashed into a ditch in Aberdeenshire.

Callum Gault, a security staff member at Asda Huntly and an on-call firefighter, helped rescue the woman after her car skidded off an icy road and crashed into a ditch filled with water.

The 25-year-old was working on click-and-collect at the store when he received the call from Huntly Community Fire Station.

He immediately left the store and headed to the station, changing into his firefighting gear and joining crew members at the scene of the crash on the B9002.

Security Colleague Callum Gault from Asda Huntly is an on-call firefighter. Supplied

On arrival, firefighters found the car lying on its side in a ditch filled with icy water.

Two passengers had managed to escape through the back door, but the female driver remained trapped inside.

Callum volunteered to enter the vehicle, helping to hold the driver in place while his watch commander released her seatbelt and she was carefully pulled to safety.

Callum said: “Luckily, she wasn’t injured, but she was a bit shaken up. If the car had rolled, the outcome could have been different, as the water was icy cold.

“When something like this happens, your brain is just like a computer, robotic. There’s no real fear or emotion.

“My sole focus was on getting her out as quickly as I could. Our main concern was making sure she didn’t end up in the water and was extracted safely.

Following the rescue, Callum and the other firefighters gave the driver and her passengers, who had just returned from holiday, a lift back to Asda Huntly, where they were given hot drinks to warm up.

They were later picked up by a friend and taken home.

Callum has worked at the store since September 2021 and has been a retained firefighter covering Huntly and Banff since February last year.

He added: “We carry a small handheld pager, when someone calls 999 and our crew is mobilised, the pager goes off and we have to get to the station and then out to the incident.”

Asda Huntly store manager Steve Hulse said: “We are all so proud of Callum for saving the driver. She wasn’t from the area and had just come into the store to get some shopping.

“She didn’t know the roads, and the car skidded on ice about three to four minutes from the store.

“Callum does so much for the local community, and we support him in his role as an on-call firefighter.”

Anthony Mitchell, on-call watch commander at Huntly Fire Station, said: “Callum has been part of the Huntly crew for almost a year and has shown great enthusiasm in learning the new skills that come with being an on-call firefighter.

“His commitment has helped improve daytime availability at Huntly Station, which is a huge benefit to the community.

“We are extremely grateful to Asda for supporting Callum and allowing him to respond to emergency calls during his working hours.

“This partnership demonstrates how employers can play a vital role in community safety.

“We would encourage anyone who is willing to learn new skills and make a real difference to consider joining the service as an on-call firefighter.

“It’s an opportunity to gain valuable experience while contributing to the safety and well-being of your local area.”