A young boy who pulled his mum and sister from the wreckage of a car crash had learnt what to do watching television.

Jack-Dean Lower, now 11, was just nine when he sprang into action after a van ploughed into four cars on the A249 at Stockbury roundabout.

Frozen in shock, mum Tina and four-year-old sister Lexi were unable to get out of the Citroen C3 in January last year.

But quick-thinking Jack-Dean took charge – and has now been praised for his actions.

The courageous youngster, from Eastchurch, was given an Outstanding Bravery award at the Fireman Sam Golden Helmet Awards for Inspirational and Brave Acts.

His proud father Barry Lower, 42, said: "The three of them were on their way to Strood that day to see one of Tina’s friends.

“The Transit van was driving down the A249 and crashed into four cars. One of them was the car that Jack-Dean was in with his mum and sister.

“After the crash, Tina and Lexi were in shock and couldn’t get out of the car so Jack-Dean took it upon himself to pull them out of the wreckage and into a safe place until the emergency services arrived.

"I felt over the moon when he said what he did. I told him I was proud of him for doing the right thing.”

Mr Lower, who works as an engineer for arcade game company Bandai Namco Entertainment, said Jack-Dean watches BBC One’s medical drama Casualty every week and had “basically learned what to do from that”.

Mrs Lower suffered a back injury in the crash and both Jack-Dean and his sister were treated for whiplash.

At the ceremony, held at London's Soho Hotel, Jack-Dean was presented with his Golden Helmet Award and a £500 cheque by Fireman Sam and representatives of the fire and rescue service.

Anh Nguyen, managing editor of Netmums – a partner of the awards ceremony – said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of entries we received for the first-ever Golden Helmet.

“Jack-Dean’s act of bravery really stood out to us. His brave actions are an inspiration to young people.”