Pride accolade for lollipop lady

A LOLLIPOP LADY who dived in front of an out-of-control car to push a group of children to safety has been honoured at an awards ceremony to celebrate the country's unsung heroes.

Karin Williams, from Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, won the prize at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, but the mother-of-one insisted: "I'm not brave."

The 50-year-old was given the trophy by actor and comedian James Corden at a star-studded event in central London.

Describing the horrifying incident in which a 61-year-old driver lost control of his car, she said: "I don't remember pushing the children away.

"I just remember standing on the pavement with the children around me waiting to cross, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground with a paramedic leaning over me telling me not to move.

"I wasn't in pain. I was in shock."

After being handed the award in front of Prime Minister David Cameron, X Factor judges Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger and Brian May from Queen, she said: "I'm not brave.

"I did my job. It was pure instinct."

She was joined on stage by a group of the children she looks after, who wore lollypop lady outfits and signs saying: "Thanks Karin".

Mrs Williams was rushed to hospital where she went through an eight-hour operation on multiple injuries to her kneecaps, legs, elbow and shoulder.

The Pride of Britain awards will be screened on ITV at 8pm tonight.

By James Edgar, Press Association