Hero fireman in rescue bid

A hero firefighter made a dramatic bid to rescue a man trapped in his burning car after a head-on smash in Telford today.

Ally Martin, who was stationed metres away from the accident in Stafford Park, doused the flames with an extinguisher as his colleagues raced to help him.

The victim, who has not been named but who was in his 30s, was trapped in his burning Ford Escort car by his legs.

He was cut free and taken to the Princess Royal Hospital by ambulance where he was treated for leg lacerations.

The collision involving a Renault van happened outside Bookers Cash and Carry, Stafford Park 13, just before 11am.

Telford Central watch manager Gareth Walker said the man was lucky not to suffer more serious injuries.

He said: "One of our firefighters ran round from the station with a dry powder extinguisher and started to put the fire out.

"The engines arrived pretty much straight after but his actions certainly helped to deal with this a lot more quickly.

"The man was trapped against the dashboard and the car had caught fire as a result of the collision.

"It was lucky we were as close as we were to the incident and it could have been a lot worse. He is very lucky."

Mr Walker said a male passenger in the Ford Escort managed to get out before it caught fire and suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the Renault Kangoo, a man in his mid-20s, also escaped unscathed.

Meanwhile, earlier today a cyclist was taken to hospital suffering from serious head injuries and a suspected broken leg after he was in collision with a car while riding at a roundabout in Telford.

The man, who has not been named but was aged in his mid-20s, was injured at the roundabout in Oakengates. The incident happened at the junction of New Street and Lion Street at about 7.20am.