A firefighter who saved the life of a biker has spoken out.

Firefighter Tony Champess had just come off duty and was about to leave West Norwood station when he heard the crash between a motorbike and a car and saw the rider was lying motionless on the road.

"The rider was not breathing, so I decided that I had to immediately remove his helmet and open up his airway. I stayed with him until the ambulance crews arrived," Tony said.

Now he is urging people to sign up to the Brigade’s bike safety course, 'biker down'.

The rider was Mario Petrov and was later reunited with Tony.

"Mario was very grateful and said that I was now part of his life’s story and that it was thanks to my actions his son wouldn’t grow up without a dad," Tony said.

"The skills I displayed can be learnt by any motorcyclist who attends our biker down courses.

"You learn how to manage the scene if you come across a collision and how to give immediate emergency aid. I would implore people to sign up for the next available course.”