TEACHERS have expressed their pride in a 15-year- old pupil who risked his life to go to the aid of an elderly couple in a car on fire. Callington Community College student Jamie Jacketts, who lives in Gunnislake, was this week hailed a hero for his part in the dramatic rescue. The couple, who are in their 80s but who wish to remain anonymous, were driving through Gunnislake, when their car caught fire. Passers-by in the area helped and the couple were taken to safety at Pearces Store. The daughter of the elderly couple, Lynn Wilson, said they had been driving up the hill in Gunnislake towards Drakewalls when their green Peugeot 206 burst into flames. 'I would like to say a very big thank you to the generous kind-hearted and brave people who, at risk to their own lives, pulled my parents out of the car to safety.' Her parents were shaken but otherwise unhurt. She has since learned that one of those involved was Jamie who pulled her stepfather from the burning car. She said: 'I have been able to personally thank Jamie who was very modest and an example of what a young man should be like.' One eyewitness told the Cornish Times that the car's gearbox appeared to have blown apart: 'There were bits all over the road, with flames underneath the car and flames coming from the bonnet.' Jamie, a Year 11 pupil, explained what happened next: 'We were parked at Station Road by the garage and I looked over and this car began smoking from the bonnet and oil was leaking from the bottom. 'I got out of the car, ran over to the man's side and got him out. I just didn't think about it. 'Someone else got the woman out and there were people shouting "get out, get out". 'After the man was safe, I got back into our car and my leg wouldn't stop shaking because of the adrenalin.' Susan Hill, Jamie's mother, said: 'I'm very proud of him but at the time I was also quite scared because he is just a young lad and I was worried something might happen to him.' Jamie's school staff also voiced how proud they were of him. 'It's absolutely amazing what he did and was totally selfless,' said Sally Humphries, his head of year. 'We're all incredibly proud of him. Jamie is a lovely kid and showed that by risking his life to save another.'