Newlyweds have praised a good Samaritan who led them to safety moments before their van exploded into flames.

Shannon and Sonny Forte had been driving along the M20 on their way to work when they heard a clicking noise from behind the steering wheel.

After smelling smoke the couple, who were married just a month ago, pulled over on to the hard shoulder.

Mrs Forte, 25, said: “Sonny was trying to open the bonnet to see if he could see where the smoke was coming from, and if he could extinguish the flames. He was very worried about all of his tools in the back of the van as they are his livelihood.

“I was screaming at him to get away from the van as by now it was leaking flames from under the bonnet.”

The next thing she knew, a man in an Army uniform ran past her and took her husband – a 26-year-old carpenter – away from the van moments before it exploded.

Mrs Forte, an administrative assistant, said: “Had the gentleman not intervened and made Sonny move away, I think Sonny would have been very seriously injured or even killed.

“He was in a state of panic and shock. I knew we had to try to track the soldier down and let him know just how grateful we were for his intervention and kindness.”

Not catching his name before he left, the pair took to Facebook to appeal for help in identifying the man they dubbed their “Army angel”, who had been captured in a photo of the fire they had taken for insurance reasons.

Within 24 hours, 4,000 people had shared the post, and the Fortes were put in touch with hero Cpl Richard Wright, who is based at Shorncliffe Barracks in Cheriton, so they could thank him.

The busy motorway was shut at junction 7 for Detling for about four hours following the blaze, which happened around 6.30am on Monday.

The fire is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault, and destroyed the van.

“We have to start from scratch again,” said Mrs Forte, from Wormshill, near Sittingbourne. “We are saving desperately for our mortgage. This is a major setback that we cannot afford.”