NEARLY three years after the event, the rightful hero of a plane crash tragedy at Hurn has been doubly honoured for his bravery.

At the annual Dorset Police awards ceremony on Tuesday, Michael Winstanley from Christchurch received a Queen's Commendation for Bravery and a commendation from the Chief Constable.

Mr Winstanley, 53, was one of the first people on the scene when a light aircraft crashed and burst into flames outside the Adventure Wonderland park in Parley Lane in August, 2004.

The glazier and former soldier, who was driving past in his van, saw the crash and rushed to help two injured survivors from the blazing wreckage of the Guernsey-based Socata Tobago in Guernsey businessman Andrew Anderson, 41, died.

He used his bare hands to beat out the flames on the burning legs of pilot Robert Le Page and passenger Dave Bougourd and helped them to safety after they had escaped through the shattered windscreen of the aircraft, which crashed shortly after taking off from Bournemouth Airport.

His efforts initially went unrewarded after another passer-by claimed credit for the efforts to help at the scene of the crash.

Mr Winstanley, whose 13 years service with the Royal Green Jackets included tours of Northern Ireland and UN peace-keeping duties in Cyprus, said he initially had reservations about accepting the award.

He said: "I would not have nominated myself for an award. All I did was what any decent person would have done in those circumstances."

"But it is nice to have the award and to be recognised for something I did."

Both commendations were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Valerie Pitt-Rivers, who said: "The Queen's Commendation for Bravery is only awarded for exceptional personal courage and bravery."

"Having heard the citation describing Mr Winstanley's very brave actions, I can understand why this was awarded to him. It was an honour to present it to such a brave and modest man."