Teenagers awarded for M4 bravery
Boys steered mum's car after she became unconscious at the wheel
Last updated 21st Apr 2023
Two teenagers from West Wales have been honoured for their bravery at this year's St David Awards.
Hari Thomas (14) and Dylan Pritchard-Evans (13) are 2 football mad friends from Ceredigion who averted a tragedy on the M4 in January 2022.
Whilst being driven back from a Swansea City Football Academy training session Catrin, Hari’s mum, became unconscious at the wheel of the car near junction 45 on the M4.
Sitting alongside his mum, Hari managed to bravely grab the steering wheel and steer the car for over 1 mile on the hard shoulder of the M4 with the help of Dylan who told him to put the hazard lights on and alert other traffic that there was a problem.
Showing admirable team work the boys managed to leave the motorway at the Swansea West Services junction using the handbrake to bring the car slowly to a stop so as not to flip the car.
The boys then flagged down a passing motorist who alerted the emergency services.
The bravery of the 2 boys potentially saved countless lives that night including their own and Hari’s mum. They kept calm and responsible in what would have been a terrifying experience for anyone in such circumstances.
Hari and Dylan have been awarded a Police Commendation for their brave actions.
The St David Awards are Wales’ national awards, which recognise people who have done extraordinary things.
This year’s awards celebrated people who have been nominated by the public in categories including bravery, business and community spirit.
The Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary this year with a new trophy design awarded to the winners made by ceramic artist Daniel Boyle from Ceredigion.
The winners were announced during a ceremony at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “It was great to be able to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements. They are all people who should be congratulated on their contribution to Welsh life.
“This year we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the awards with another incredibly strong field to choose from. All our winners were people who have achieved great things either by being courageous, innovative or determined to contribute to their community."
Gillian Clarke was awarded the First Minister’s Special Award at the ceremony.
Mr Drakeford added: “I’d like to congratulate Gillian Clarke for her incredible contribution over the decades to Welsh literature and poetry.
“Language is so important to us in Wales. Being a place where two languages are spoken every day means that words define us, as individuals and as a nation. It is why poets have always had such a celebrated part in our history.
“Today’s award is a way of restating that in contemporary Wales, honouring one of the outstanding poets of my lifetime. Gillian Clarke’s work captures the grace, the power and the connected nature of our lives. It is an honour to have offered her this award.’
Gillian Clarke said: “I was astonished to receive the news of this award, but I’m especially pleased that it came from Mark Drakeford.
“It is good to know we have a First Minister who values poetry.”
The list of winners of the St David Awards are:
• Bravery: Hari Thomas and Dylan Pritchard-Evans
• Business: Cȃr-y-Môr
• Community Spirit: South Wales Sponsorship for Ukraine
• Critical Worker: Harm reduction unit Huggard
• Culture: Unify
• Environment Champion: Andy Rowland
• Innovation, Science and Technology: CanSense
• Sport: Olivia Breen
• Young Person: Skye Neville