A PUB landlord and his customers dashed to the rescue of a man whose car crashed and overturned, trapping him inside. Roger Blyth and four other men propped up the car, which had landed on its side, to free the victim's trapped arm and stop the vehicle rolling on to its roof.

Leading firefighter Kevin Chapman said: "Those men did well and the victim is lucky to be alive. It was a very serious accident." The Renault Clio had gone out of control and up a bank as it travelled down Telegraph Hill in Higham, near Rochester.

The car landed on its right side, trapping the 25-year-old driverr's right arm while the steering wheel trapped his legs.

A woman motorist who saw the accident dashed into the nearby Sir John Falstaff pub to raise the alarm. Customer Mark Cresswell, of Norah Lane, Higham, said: "We went out and held the car in place for about 15 minutes until the fire brigade arrived. The poor chap seemed in agony. We kept him talking to keep him conscious."

Firefighters, working alongside paramedics, managed to free the victim after cutting through the roof of the car. The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Mr Blyth added: "The victim was able to walk to the ambulance, which was great. It was a good team effort by everyone. I don't even know two other men who helped prop up the car but we are grateful to them too."