EMERGENCY service crews rushed to help a pensioner who suffered a back injury after he was trapped underneath a car he was trying to stop rolling away.

The pensioner, who is believed to be in his 70s, got stuck in Ariel Close, Colchester.

Onlookers rushed to help along with ambulance staff and fire crews.

Fire brigade officers had to use an inflatable device to lift the car and free him from underneath.

A spokesman for Essex and Fire Rescue Service said: “The fire service were called to Ariel Close, Colchester to assist the ambulance service at an incident involving a single car road traffic collision.

“One male casualty was trapped under the car, crews used air bags to help release the casualty from the vehicle.

“The casualty was left in the care of the ambulance service.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust confirmed they had treated the pensioner and said it had appeared he was trying to stop a rolling car.

He said: “An ambulance, rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer attended and treated a man in his 70s.

“He was taken to Colchester General Hospital with a suspected back injury.”

One onlooker, who did not wish to be named said the believed the man had got trapped under his own car.

She said: “I was just on my way home when I heard all the sirens screeching.

“It was a little while later, when I was walking the dog I saw all of the fire engines and the ambulance there.W

She added: “I have heard the car was rolling and he tried to stop it hitting another car after it came out of the garages on there but he got trapped underneath it.

“Somebody said his leg had got twisted.

“He was crying out in pain and his leg had turned the other way.

“It would be really nice to know if he is OK - I really hope he is.”

The incident happened just before 4.30pm on Thursday.