Modest hero Stuart Bacon stepped in to rush a pregnant women to hospital when she went into labour a month early in the snow.
Good Samaritan Stuart, of Midway Road, who insists he's no superhero, has a 4x4 and was already helping stranded motorists in Swadlincote when he saw pregnant Rachel Miles' plea on Facebook for someone with an off-road car to get her to hospital quick.
Rachel had gone into early labour in Swadlincote last night, Thursday, March 1, when the town was brought to a standstill by the snow and ice as Storm Emma lashed the country.
An ambulance had struggled to get to her and with the A444 and A511 between Swadlincote and Burton both at a standstill as drivers struggled in the conditions, she took to Facebook to make a desperate plea for a ride to hospital.
And up stepped Stuart, 47, with his trusty 4X4 Range Rover. Rachel was still in labour at Burton's Queen's Hospital today, Friday, March 2, but she and her partner are so grateful they say when their son is born his middle name will be Stuart as a thank-you to their knight in shining armour.
And despite being in labour, Rachel even managed to put a message on Facebook thanking Stuart for his heroics.
His journey to get Rachel to hospital was not all plain sailing either, he was in Burton and was initially making good progress from Swadlincote until he got to the bridge near the Imex Business Centre in Burton, which had been closed by police. But they allowed him to go over when they heard about his errand of mercy - and his 4x4 made short work of the bridge.
Rachel said: "He was a regular good Samaritan to help a young lady with her partner get to the hospital when she was in desperate need of help.
"He is an inspiration to many as he does it out of the goodness of his heart for those who are in need and donations he is given go to the homeless for food.
"A genuine local hero. He does it for the people not himself. It's an honour to know such a lovely person."
The couple will be naming their new little one Ayron Jacob Stuart Miles when he finally arrives and want Stuart to meet him.
Everything you need to know about snow
This morning, Friday, March 2, Stuart was still helping those stranded by the icy weather as he took a woman to the Royal Derby Hospital who needed an operation for cancer.
He also ferried nurses and carers to where they need to be. Workers from the Tall Chimney pub, in Swadlincote, were also grateful for his help when they got into difficulties getting home from work. Since the snow hit he has been on hand to tow cars after drivers got stuck in the snow.
He has even contacted Burton's Queen's Hospital to offer to help drive staff to work if he is needed and is set to take another woman to Derby tomorrow, Saturday, so she can get to work.
The father-of-two, who is the managing director of Capital Limos and Wedding Cars, which is based at his home in Midway Road, said: "I am self-employed so I have got the time and the vehicle to do it. When the snow came last time people were saying that they couldn't get to work. My wife volunteered me to help and it has gone from there.
"There are lots of 4X4s out there but you have got to know how to drive them in this weather. I would expect that anyone would do this and a lot of people have been out there helping with the snow.
"I don't see myself as a hero. I think of heroes as firefighters who run into burning buildings. I am just helping people out. Other people have responded to the messages as well offering to help to get the lady to hospital but I was just first.
"It is good to see the community pulling together again as that is what it is like around here. I have had people tagging me in posts on Facebook and messaging me and my wife has been replying when I have been driving. I have had to prioritise people first."
As a thank-you for all he has done, people have been giving donations to Stuart which he has then used to buy supplies for South Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).
He said of the CVS: "It is not just people who are vulnerable, it is anyone this could happen to and they find themselves needing the food bank. I go and stock up with one of the trolleys and take the items to the food banks, it all helps.
"It is scary to know how many people are on the streets when there is no need for it."
