Everyday heroes deserve major praise, especially where a life-saving act is carried out, which is why British mum Tammy Harris is being lauded this weekend.
Tammy has been credited with saving the lives of seven immigrants – including two children – after hearing their cries for help from the back of a refrigerated lorry.
According to reports, Tammy was walking from school with her six-year-old son, and stopped at a pelican crossing when she heard the distinct sound of screaming and calls for help.
Initially, she thought that someone was trapped under the lorry – which was transporting chilled pears – but upon closer inspection she realised that there were people inside in the back.
The 34-year-old rushed to the driver’s side and pleaded with him to open up the cargo area, and they found seven people – believed to be from Iran and Iraq – inside.
Police were called to the scene, and they were able to determine that the lorry had travelled from Portugal to Worcester on Thursday. It is thought that the seven people may have been inside the lorry, suffering from frostbite, for up to eight hours.
Describing the scene, Tammy told The Mirror: “It took about an hour to get them out of the lorry. When the door opened, they looked so frightened. Some of them were finding it difficult to get out because it was so cold. They didn’t look in a very good state of mind, really.”
"I'm pretty shocked and upset by it, and I just feel so disappointed in our government that they are not doing anything to help,” she added.
Police proceeded to arrest the seven individuals for entering the UK illegally. While five men are said to have been taken into custody, two minors are set to be transferred into the care of social services.
Police revealed today that the immigration authorities are now dealing with the situation.
