Three heroes who saved a young motorist engulfed in his blazing car were praised by firefighters.

Robert Rice, 22, suffered multiple injuries when his Ford Fiesta XR2 careered off the road and smashed into a telegraph pole.

He was trapped in the car as flames swept through the engine after the crash in Old Woodham Road, Battlesbridge.

Nursery workers Christopher Smy and Maurice Sassell, employed by nearby WD Smith and Son, joined forces with John Stevens from Grange Farm to fight the blaze with extinguishers.

It took firemen about an hour to free Robert, of Bucklebury Heath, South Woodham Ferrers, from the tangled wreck.

He was airlifted by the Essex Air Ambulance crew to Basildon Hospital where his condition was yesterday described as "stable and comfortable."

Fire officer Stewart Cook said: "Luckily the three men fought the fire with extinguishers. Their quick-thinking actions certainly saved the driver's life.

"We understand they were joined by other motorists who were passing the scene at noon last Friday. They also did their best for the driver and we are grateful.

"I am now trying to contact witnesses to the accident to help with my report," added sub officer Cook, stationed at South Woodham Ferrers.

At Smith's nurseries, accountant Betty St John-Marshall commented: "The three men did an excellent job in tackling the fire.

"We are all very proud of them. They rushed to help the poor driver and fought the fire with extinguishers, which we always keep on the premises.

"I dread to think what would have happened to the driver if they had not been around. He could easily have died."

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