Taxi Driver Online

Hero taxi driver saves OAP from Castle Vale blaze



A PENSIONER had a lucky escape thanks to a quick-thinking taxi driver who rescued him from his burning home.

John Stone, aged 80, was trapped when a blaze started in the kitchen of his house in Morar Close, Castle Vale.

But fortunately hero taxi driver John Papageorge was dropping off John’s wife Diane at the time.


As the 54-year old employee of Plaza Cars helped to unload his passenger’s shopping bags at about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon, he noticed the flames and ran in to rescue Mr Stone.

The father-of-three, from Hodge Hill, said: “I had picked Diane up from the Co-op in Erdington and took her home. I was helping to unload the shopping bags at the back door when we noticed flames coming out of the window.

“Diane was panicking because she knew her grandson and husband were in the house so I dropped the bags and went in. I saw the grandson running out but I couldn’t see John and it was thick with smoke.

“I got a bucket and was putting out the fire but I kept going in and out because I couldn’t breathe. I kept coming out for air.

“By the fourth time I saw him but he was just standing still and wouldn’t move - he was confused and in shock. In the end I had to push him to the ground and drag him out. I then carried on putting out the fire.”

Mr Papageorge who has been a taxi driver for eight years, said: “It was a bit scary because I couldn’t really see but I didn’t stop to think - I knew I had to get him out. Another few minutes and I fear it would have been a different story, so I am glad I could help.”

Firefighters arrived at the scene soon after and gave oxygen to the pensioner, who was today in Good Hope Hospital.

Erdington fire station watch commander Paddy Lynch said: “Mr Stone is really lucky that the fire happened just as the taxi pulled up to the house.

“It appears as though Mr Stone was quite disorientated and unable to get out but luckily for him Mr Papageorge persisted and was able to get him out.”

Firefighters believe the blaze was caused by a cigarette.