Swift praise for mystery motorist

Heybridge Swifts have thanked a mystery driver who spotted a fire getting out of control on their team coach on Saturday night as the Ryman North club's players and management were returning from their 2-1 FA Trophy win at Uxbridge.

The coach was already suffering from major mechanical problems, struggling to get above 40mph on the M25 and had pulled over minutes before the drama for an investigation by the worried driver at Thurrock Services at around 7.20pm.

After setting off again and crossing the QE2 Bridge, flames were spotted shooting out of the vehicle's engine compartment as the team headed towards the Brook Street round-a-bout on the approach to the Brentwood Holiday Inn.

Thurrock's mystery hero, who was sitting in his car at a nearby petrol station having a cup of tea, spotted the blaze, pictured, and rushed to their aid after grabbing one of the forecourt fire extinguishers. With the team hurriedly evacuating and smoke billowing from the stricken coach, he helped put out the fire with the driver who'd grabbed an on-board extinguisher just as two fire engines arrived on scene.

The Ryman North club thanked their coach driver from Gardner Travel, staff at the services and the Essex Fire Brigade for their part in the drama before singling out their mystery hero for special praise after he sped away.

In a statement released later on their official website, the club, who'd already tweeted news of the emergency as it unfolded, said: "The Football Club would like to say thank you to this gentleman for his quick and brave action. The hero didn't wait around to tell us who he was sadly, but everyone at the scene were very grateful. Everyone is safe and sound and we look forward to a less dramatic journey when we travel to Bromley next Saturday in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round."

After Saturday's emergency, Heybridge's players and staff retired to the nearby hotel where they waited for a replacement coach which later brought them safely home to the Scraley Road Stadium following their Preliminary Round victory hours earlier.