A QUICK-thinking Skipton man saved the life of a fellow motorist in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Twenty-three-year-old Philip Hudson pulled injured driver William Scott from the wreckage of his Renault Clio just seconds before it was engulfed by flames and exploded.

"His actions certainly saved the driver's life," said a police spokesman.

The drama unfolded after their two cars collided on the A65 at Woomber Hill between Gargrave and Skipton at 2.30am.

Mr Hudson was returning to Skipton in his Nissan Micra, having made his final delivery of the night for local food takeaway Caesar's.

He had just left Gargrave when Mr Scott's car went out of control and ended up crashing into a wall. Unable to avoid a collision, Mr Hudson careered into the wreckage.

"The Clio set on fire pretty much immediately," he said.

Without a thought for his own safety, Mr Hudson went to help the other driver, who had been knocked unconscious in the crash. Coincidentally he found he knew the injured man.

Mr Hudson explained: "I tried to wake him up and he eventually came round. He didn't know where he was. One of his legs was trapped."

Meanwhile the fire was getting worse, adding extra urgency to the frantic rescue efforts.

With adrenaline pumping, Mr Hudson managed to pull the other man from the vehicle. "I dragged him up the road. I had gone about 25 yards when the car exploded," recalled Mr Hudson.

The fire also engulfed the Nissan Micra.

Asked whether he had feared for his safety, he said: "I didn't give it a thought - I just wanted to get Will out."

Mr Hudson, who lives at Pinder House, then covered the injured man with his coat and jumper until the emergency services arrived.

Mr Scott, 22, of Western Road, Skipton, was taken to Airedale Hospital with a broken leg, broken arm and neck injuries.

He has since thanked Mr Hudson for saving his life.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Scott told the Herald: "I just want to thank Phil for pulling me out and doing the best he could.

"I remember Phil slapping me around the face a few times, trying to keep me awake.

"I remember being dragged out of the car, I don't remember any pain. I was just in shock and drifted in and out of consciousness."

Mr Scott was in intensive care but is now recovering on another ward. He is expected to be in hospital for about seven weeks.

Mr Hudson was also invited around to Mr Scott's family home where he was thanked for his bravery.

The two men knew each other before but have become closer since the accident.

Mr Hudson has been visiting his friend and says he is looking forward to taking him for a pint after he is released from hospital.

Mr Hudson's actions have also been praised by the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesman said: "The fire crew felt that the Micra driver likely saved the other driver's life by getting him out of the vehicle before it was engulfed by fire."

It is understood both cars had been heading towards Skipton and had just overtaken a third vehicle, which did not stop at the scene.

Police are keen to talk to that driver as part of their inquiries.

"The driver would have either witnessed the accident or been first on the scene," said a police spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Constable Steve Beckwith via the police witness line on 01423 539326.