POLICE have praised the actions of three men who prevented a train from hitting a car that overturned on to a railway line in Essex.

The dramatic rescue happened at about 11.30am on Sunday when a Ford Fiesta left the road at Waltons Hall Road, Stanford-le-Hope and rolled down an embankment on to the track.

The driver of the car, a 21-year-old local woman, was trapped but a motorist who saw what happened rushed to help.

A second driver stopped and helped push the car on to its wheels so that the woman could get out.

A third passing driver also stopped and all three men managed to roll the Fiesta off the line and on to its roof just before a Southend-bound train passed by.

Investigating officer, Pc Allen Burridge said: “The woman was not injured but she had a very lucky escape - thanks to the quick action of the men who helped her get out of the car. We have the name and address of one man but the others left the scene without giving their contact details.

“We have been told that the train went past quite fast only about 30 seconds after the car was pushed out of the way so we want to find the other men so that they can receive official thanks or a commendation for their prompt action. The woman would also like to pass on her personal thanks to the men.”

The two men should contact Pc Burridge at Laindon Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.