Belle Isle sibling duo who rescued ambulance from snow chaos in Leeds praised

A Belle Isle brother and sister have been praised and showered with gifts by the Leeds community - after spending an entire day rescuing vehicles from the snow chaos last week.
By Daniel Sheridan
Published 18th Jan 2021, 16:45 BST
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Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.

A picture of the pair - shared on social media - went viral, with hundreds praising the duo's attitude and willingness to help the community.

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Now, businesses in Leeds have offered Ajay gifts as a thank you.

Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.
Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.

However, speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Ajay said he didn't help for any reward - instead stating it was the "right thing to do".

He said he couldn't "just sit back and watch the drivers struggle".

Ajay had been sent home from his job as an apprentice Fork Lift Truck Engineer due to the weather.

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Despite the difficult conditions, Ajay stayed outside on the streets of Belle Isle to offer his help to countless drivers.

Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.
Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.

He explained: "On my way home I helped a few people pushing cars.

"I got home and there was a car stuck so I tried helping him but there was no point because people were stuck on the hill so I shouted to my sister Stella to go get some shovels and my orange jumper for safety reasons.

"Then I just went to the first car on the hill, dug the snow out and created a path so that car driver could get some grip on the road."

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Ajay said he helped to save a bus at lunchtime before his most incredible feat - helping to rescue an ambulance stuck with a patient on board.

Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.
Ajay Blackley, 18, and his sister Stella spent hours digging cars, buses and an ambulance out of the snow in Leeds.

He said: "I just knew that I needed to work fast so that patient could get to hospital.

"That day we saved a total of 98 cars and vans 1 bus and 1 Ambulance and we didn't stop until 5.30pm when every car could make it up the hill by themselves a gritter did not show up till 4.00pm that day."

Businesses who heard about Ajay's heroics have given him gifts as a thanks for his generosity.

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He has received alcohol from AC Auto Locksmiths, cash and even a brand new iPhone 6 from Mr Phone.

Ajay added: "I did not do this for money or for gifts, I did this because its the right thing to do.

"The smiles back on the driver's faces were enough credit for me and a job well done too.

"I couldn't just sit back and watch all the drivers struggle."

Related topics:LeedsYorkshire Evening Post

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