A FIRE engine crashed into a car, hospitalising the driver, as it returned form rescuing a farmer trapped in a river.

The farmer jumped into the River Loddon near Barge Lane in Swallowfield after attempting to save a cow from the water yesterday afternoon.

He dislocated his shoulder and was stuck in waist-deep water unable to climb the steep banks.

Seven emergency vehicles, including the engine from Whitley Wood, were sent to the scene with the farmer sent to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

As the engine returned to the Whitley Wood Road base it collided with the car on the A33 near Swallowfield.

Two other engines, from Wokingham Road and Wokingham, along with the specialist heavy rescue unit from Dee Road station were sent to the scene.

The driver of the car was cut out of their vehicle and taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital with minor neck injuries.

None of the Whitley Wood firefighters were hurt.