THE bravery of York-based Army Cadets who helped victims and diverted traffic at scene of a motorway pile-up has been praised by emergency chiefs.

The teenagers, who leapt into action after they saw the crash on the M62, have been given a commendation from the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambu-lance Service.

The youngsters, who attend Duncombe Barracks, in Burton Stone Lane, were in a minibus travelling on the motorway, near Castleford, last year when they spotted the accident near to junction 31. They raised the alarm and, led by 2nd Lieutenant Peter Smith, immediately began helping victims and diverting traffic.

There were three Kurds in one car, including a man who was unconscious, and a couple with three young children in another car.

One of the teenagers, Corporal Michael Meir, 17, from Fulford, helped one of the Kurdish victims.

He said: "I started talking to the driver of the car who could not speak English, so it was quite hard.

"It was the first crash I have every seen and it was quite nerve-racking.

"But all the training we have had all came back and came naturally to me."

Steve Cordwell, from West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, said: "I think it is exceptional what they have done, being so young and having so much common sense.

"The main thing you have to do in this sort of situation is calm people down and they all did this.

"This can be a very dangerous situation and it can be quite daunting and they all did very well."

The youngsters were presented with their awards at a ceremony at the barracks yesterday.

They also presented a cheque to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for £10,000, which was received by celebrity florist Carl Wilde from ITV's This Morning.

The money was raised by the cadets with a 24-hour, 50-kilometre endurance march, bag-packing at a local supermarket, raffles and collections.

Jeanette Smailes, a fundraising from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "It is a lot of money and we are really pleased with the amount.

"It is a credit to them, it is hard work to raise funds and to raise that amount is unbelievable."

Volunteers are needed to help with the training of Army Cadets in York. A military background is not necessary as full training will be given. Anyone who can help should phone 01904 490529.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, February 20, 2004