A DOCTOR has told how he carried out lifesaving treatment by the side of the road after a crash left a driver seriously injured and trapped in his car underneath a lorry.

By Juliette Maxam

A DOCTOR has told how he carried out lifesaving treatment by the side of the road after a crash left a driver seriously injured and trapped in his car underneath a lorry.

Dr Phil Brown, who is a volunteer for the North East Essex Doctors Emergency Service, was called out to a five-car pile-up on the A12 on Wednesday night.

A BMW driver aged in his late 50s was stuck underneath a lorry in his car, bleeding profusely after suffering multiple fractures to his face.

Dr Brown and paramedics treated him while firefighters spent 45 minutes cutting him free from his car.

Blood was going into his throat and lungs so Dr Brown used suction equipment to keep his airways free.

He also instructed paramedics to transport him to hospital face down, which is very unusual, so blood would drain away from his airway.

Dr Brown, who is a part-time GP at Tiptree and part-time casualty doctor at Colchester General Hospital, said: “He'd gone into the back of a tipper truck. “He had very severe facial injuries from contact with the lorry itself.

“There were multiple fractures to the front of his face which meant not only was he semi-conscious, he was bleeding profusely from all the injuries and it was all going into his throat and lungs

“We did as a group - paramedics and firemen - save his life. Without a doubt that guy would have died.”

The man, who comes from Croydon, was taken to Broomfield Hospital where yesterday his condition was described as “serious.”

The crash happened when traffic came to a halt due to a broken down lorry just before the A414 Maldon and Danbury turn-off.

The five vehicles involved were a blue Volkswagen Polo, a red Ford Ka, grey Metro, a white Transit pick-up truck and a silver BMW 3.

Two other drivers, both 21-year-old men were also taken to hospital.

One from South Benfleet had neck pain while the other from Romford had minor head injuries

Another four people including an elderly lady were treated at the scene but did require hospital treatment.

The road was closed for several hours to allow police to work at the scene and carry out an investigation.

Emergency services sent to the accident included three ambulances, three paramedic managers and Dr Brown from Essex Ambulance Service, four fire crews from Essex Fire and Rescue and traffic police.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Pc Jonathan Harman, of Chelmsford road policing unit, on 01245 452921.

Meanwhile, a man was taken to hospital after the car he was in crashed on a country road just to the north of Chelmsford.

The accident happened on Wheelers Hill around a third of a mile off Essex Regiment Way near Little Waltham at about 5.20pm on Wednesday.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “The man was the only occupant of a red Ford Escort that was heading east.

“The car spun just after a corner and left the road to the off side ending up against a tree facing west.

“The 22-year-old Heybridge man managed to get out of the car himself but collapsed beside it.”

The man was placed on a backboard and taken to Broomfield Hospital with injuries to his left shoulder, chest and left leg. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

n Firefighters rescued two casualties from a car which was involved in a crash on the A120 near Braintree on Wednesday night.

Two vehicles were in collision at 8.30pm. A motorist was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries.