999 teams praised over crash action

The chief executive of a Shropshire business has praised emergency services workers for helping to save his wife's life after she was seriously injured in a car crash.

Ray Grocott, who owns Grocontinental storage and distribution plant in Whitchurch said he wanted to thank the firefighters, community first responders and medical staff who came to the rescue of his wife, Rose after the three-car smash.

The 75-year-old had been travelling into Whitchurch from their home in Prees to sing at the Edward German Music Festival when she was involved in the crash.

Firefighters had to cut the grandmother-of-seven free from her car before she was rushed to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for life-saving surgery.

She is now recovering at the hospital after the accident on Friday.

Today Mr Grocott, also 75, said he could not fault the care his wife received and thanked staff for coming to her rescue.

The businessman, who has supported the Community First Responders with a donation and the fire brigade by allowing them to stage a major operation at his premises said it was reassuring to see all emergency services coming together.

"Rose was moved out of the high dependency unit and she had a big operation because her seatbelt had caused internal bleeding. The operation was successful and now it's just a case of her resting and trying to move forwards," he said.

"I am very thankful that everyone got there and did what they did, it was wonderful.

"We support the fire service, and the community first responders and they were on the scene first, so that's two causes we have supported that have been there for us.

"We want to say a big thank you to everyone - the hospital staff were brilliant and all the care we had, we cannot speak highly enough of it."

Graham Field, crew manager at Whitchurch fire station said: "We would like to thank Ray Grocott for what he has done for the fire service.

"It's very hard to save someone you know so we were pleased to be able to save Mrs Grocott."