Heroic man speaks to GB News after rescuing baby from burning car seconds before it exploded

WATCH NOW: Wesley Beynon recalls saving baby from burning car

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GB NEWS

Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 18/01/2026

- 17:46

Wesley Beynon and his uncle Marc Willding came to the aid of infant Lilah and her young mother, Alex McClean

A heroic Welshman has told GB News how he rescued a nine-month-old baby from a burning vehicle after spotting the mother in a lay-by.

Speaking to Nana Akua, Wesley Beynon recalled witnessing the smoking vehicle on the side of the road and immediately leapt into action.


Recounting what happened, Mr Beynon told GB News: "I was basically driving back towards Merthyr from picking up a part for a car, and myself, my uncle and my aunty were travelling in my car.

"We spotted a car in the lay-by which was smoking quite a considerable amount. As we were passing, we were aware that there was a woman at the side of the vehicle, clearly in distress, so we pulled over."

He continued: "By which point we'd realised the vehicle was on fire, so we ran down to the vehicle. She was screaming, horrifically screaming that her baby was still in the car.

"I went straight to the back doors thinking the baby would be in the back seat, and the baby wasn't, the back door was locked. I went back to the driver's door, opened the driver's door and didn't think anything of it, just climbed inside, leaned over the passenger door, unclipped the baby and my uncle grabbed the baby then and pulled the baby to safety.

"We moved about 20, maybe 25 yards away from the vehicle, and then it was just loads of loud bangs, and the tyres and all the glass and everything else started exploding."

Astonished by what happened, Nana responded: "That is absolutely terrifying. You went straight in there with your uncle to help this lady - she must have been incredibly grateful to you?"

Wesley Beynon

Wesley Beynon has recalled the dramatic moment he leapt into action and rescued a baby from a burning car

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GB NEWS

Mr Beynon responded: "Yes, she was. She was clearly in a state of shock and panic, as you could imagine. But she has been extremely thoughtful and has given no end of thanks from herself and her family.

"She says she will make sure the baby grows up knowing us, because the baby is only nine-months-old at the moment, and she said the baby will grow up to know what she's been through and the people have saved her."

Asked what caused the car to begin smoking and result in an explosion, Mr Beynon said: "We have no idea yet, we have absolutely no idea."

Heaping praise on Mr Beynon and his uncle for their bravery, Nana gushed: "Wesley, it's been really good to talk to you, and again, thank you for what you did.

Wreakage of Alex McClean's carWesley Beynon and his uncle Marc Willding came to the aid of infant Lilah and her young mother, Alex McClean | ANNE MARIE THOMAS

"I don't know the lady or her child, but I read this and I thought people need to see this, he is an absolute hero. So thank you very much."

Mr Beynon and his uncle Marc Willding came to the aid of infant Lilah after she became trapped in her 21-year-old mother Alex McClean’s car, which burst into flames.

The young mother from Ebbw Vale was faced with a horror scenario when the vehicle's doors locked automatically while flames began to spread.

Ms McClean described the heroic rescuers as "literal lifesavers" when the group met again on Saturday.

Wesley Beynon

Mr Beynon told GB News that he 'didn't think anything of it' as he entered the burning car

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GB NEWS

Warning lights had illuminated on the dashboard of Ms McClean's car as the vehicle suddenly lost power. She managed to pull into a lay-by, but within moments, smoke began filling the interior, prompting her to rush out of the car.

Attempting to reach her daughter, the 21-year-old tried both the rear door behind the passenger seat and the front passenger door, but neither would open.

Baby Lilah emerged from the ordeal unharmed, and Ms McClean expressed her gratitude when reuniting with the pair on Saturday, presenting them with gifts.

"I've never been so appreciative of someone to help me, there were so many other people that didn't bother, stopping," she said.

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