LAST week, Tony Clarke proudly walked his daughter up the aisle just a year after he thought he may never walk again.

The 52-year-old's leg was amputated following a horrific car crash on the M4, but it could have been worse had a heroic stranger not pulled him from his burning van.

So who better to have by his side when his daughter tied the knot than the Harrow man who came to his aid on that traumatic day.

Tony Greene, from Radnor Road, was the first person on the scene when Mr Clarke's Transit skewed into a container and caught fire on May 28 last year.

He instinctively pulled over to help the driver, and the pair have become firm friends since.

Mr Greene, who suffered burns to his hands as he knocked away burning metal falling on Mr Clarke, praised his new friend for moving on with his life following a difficult time in hospital.

The 50-year-old from Radnor Road, Harrow, said: "I think to get on with his life in the way that he has just shows how mentally strong he is. I'm not sure I could have done that.

"I think, on the day, it was just instinct that took over. It was incredibly frightening and, to be truthful, I'm not sure I could do it again.

"But it wasn't just me that came to help. There were other people around and we were just trying to do all we could.

"Looking back at it I am chuffed to bits that I could do anything to help him because he is a great guy."

Mr Greene and two others who helped Mr Clarke - Sean Boyle of Essex and Duncan Grant of Wiltshire - were each given police commendations in April for their bravery.

Mr Clarke, from Reading, said: "The accident was all a bit of a blur to be honest, but I said to my wife, when she told me that she was trying to contact the people who got me out, that I would instantly recognise Tony.

"Then I saw him sitting in the cafeteria in the hospital and we both knew straight away. We both fell apart. It was a really emotional moment.

"Obviously I can never thank him enough for what he has done and it is great that through something so traumatic I have been able to forge a new friendship.

"I thought it was brilliant when the police acknowledged his bravery because Tony really is a salt of the earth kind of person."