Rugby heroes to the rescue

Jul 25 2007 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

MOST sports enthusiasts know England rugby stars Martin Corry and Ben Kay for their heroics on the pitch.

But for Solihull businessman John Symons, the pair scored their biggest victory when he saw them helping to rescue people stranded in life-endangering flood waters.

The managing director of house building firm George Wimpey, based in Station Road, Solihull, was with colleague Richard Davies, when the rugby players - who both helped England to clinch the World Cup in 2003 - swung into action.

Like John and Richard, the rugby heroes had sought shelter for the night in a village pub near Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, after being left stranded in the floods that struck the region over the weekend.

John said: "Richard and I had been attending a function at one of our housing developments in nearby Inkberrow and, after abandoning our car and wading across country, our suits were naturally soaked through by the time we reached the pub.

"So, for starters, Martin and Ben lent us some of their rugby training kit to keep warm, which was very much appreciated."

But 33-year-old Martin, from Birmingham, and Liverpudlian Ben, 31, didn't stop there.

"With the village High Street resembling a river, they proceeded to help push cars out of the way and carry flood victims to safety for a number of hours, with a total disregard for their own creature comforts and well being," added John.

"In between stints, they just sat in the pub window and kept a look out and as soon as anyone else needed help they were back out and wading through the water again."

The pair, both forwards for the Leicester Tigers who have almost 100 England caps between them, should be recognised for their efforts, added John.

"I'm a football man myself, but it just got me thinking that in today's society of cossetted and perhaps overpaid sportsmen, these two men were an absolute credit to themselves and their sport," he added.

Modest Ben said: "We were happy to pitch in. We got home eventually."