Bystanders in dramatic M4 rescue
Published 28 May 2009 13:00
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BRAVE passers-by tried to rescue a man from a burning van following a motorway smash.
The 51-year-old driver of a silver Ford Transit skidded off the eastbound M4 and into a generator by the side of the road at around 11.30 this morning.
The van burst into flames and emergency services rushed to the scene.
Rachael Hunter of Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance said: "The passers-by were angels since they stayed with him even though the van was on fire.
"It was quite a dramatic rescue since the fire crews were spraying everybody with foam trying to put out the fire even while the paramedics were treating him."
The passers by, paramedics and fire crews tried to get the man out of the van, but could only get him halfway out because his feet were trapped by molten plastic.
He was eventually freed and airlifted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital with burns to his lower body and fractured ankles.
The smash happened at 11.36am between junctions 10 and 11. The motorway was briefly closed eastbound, but all but one lane are now re-opened.
Fire crews checked over the generator, which was inside a shipping container on the side of the road, and made the scene safe.
PC Mark Brazier said: 'I would like to hear from anyone that may have seen the vehicle prior to the collision, or who witnessed the collision itself.'
Contact PC Brazier at Three Mile Cross Roads Policing base via 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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