James Laughton nominated for Pride of Australia after saving his dad from backyard explosion

WHEN a barbecue exploded, engulfing his father in flames, James Laughton moved quickly to put out the fire. His fast thinking saved his dad Alex’s life.

WHEN a barbecue exploded, engulfing his father in flames, James Laughton did not panic.

He sprang into action, smothering the burning body and ultimately saving his dad Alex’s life.

“He was trying to light a barbecue spit and then there was a bang and he caught alight,”

James, 21, of Eden Hills, says.

TELL US BELOW: Do you know a local hero? Nominate them in the Pride of Australia awards at advertiser.com.au/prideofaustralia

“I was standing next to him when it happened and as I was pushing him inside to get to the shower he collapsed.

“So I grabbed a towel and jumped on him to put the flames out.”

As James was putting the fire out, his dog, Mac, ran up to see what was happening and also caught alight.

James threw himself on Mac and put out the flames before realising there were three fires burning in the backyard.

“I ran out there but the hose was on fire so I had to use water from the pool to put the fire out on the hose and then use the hose to extinguish the fires in the garden and on the deck.”

Mac and the backyard were left unscathed, but dad Alex suffered burns to 30 per cent of his body during the incident last December.

James has been hailed as a hero by paramedics who say his quick reaction time not only saved his dad’s life, but reduced the severity of his burns and the amount of surgery he had to endure.

“I was totally shocked when it first happened but I just jumped into action — I didn’t have to think about it — my initial reaction was just to get him out.

“It seems a bit surreal.

“It doesn’t seem like it actually happened.

“Even though it was a pretty shocking day it’s an amazing feeling to know I saved his life so I’ve just taken the best bits away from it because it could have been a lot worse.”

James’s mum, Linda Laughton, has nominated him for a Pride of Australia Medal in the Outstanding Bravery category.

Pride of Australia, a News Corp SA campaign in its 10th year, celebrates local heroes.

“My son James on that day saved his father, our dog and our house,” Mrs Laughton says.

“I was a witness to all of this including seeing my husband’s body a ball of flames.”

Nominations for this year’s Pride of Australia awards are open until Tuesday, July 29.

TELL US BELOW: Do you know a local hero? Nominate them in the Pride of Australia awards at advertiser.com.au/prideofaustralia