Four Dover fire-fighters who went to the aid of a motorist at the centre of an armed car-jacking incident have been given awards for their work.

White Watch manager Jamie Muddle, crew manager Mike Blundred and firefighters Jason LaHaye and Mark Seal were on duty early on Sunday January 6 this year when they were called out to what was thought to be a road accident at the traffic lights at the junction of Castle Street and Eastbrook Place.

But when they arrived, they found Dover motorist Sam Coleman struggling with a man who had been brandishing a gun.

The man had pulled the driver’s door open, threatened Mr Coleman with the weapon and ordered him to get out of the car.

Mr Coleman got out and the man got in. But when he didn’t drive away immediately, Mr Coleman decided to tackle him. He jumped on him, hit him in the face, grabbed the gun and threw it out.

He then tried to pin him down until the emergency services arrived.

First on the scene were the fire crew who helped until the police arrived and arrested the man.

Speaking to the Mercury just after the incident, Mr Coleman praised the fire crew for their help. “They were really good,” said Mr Coleman. “They gave me a lot of moral support and made sure I was all right.”

A 30-year-old Dover man was later sent to prison for three and a half years for robbery, two years for posessing the gun and one year for possessing a knife. The sentences are being served concurrently.

On Monday the fire crew were presented with a Certificate of Congratulation from Kent Fire and Rescue Service Chief Executive Ann Millington and chairman of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, Nick Chard.