A MAN has been rescued from a burning vehicle in Pensnett this afternoon by a community paramedic.

Moments after the man was dragged from the vehicle by the paramedic, the whole car became engulfed in flames.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was at the scene of the smouldering car following a single vehicle collision at the junction of Smithys Lane and Coopers Bank Road.

Shortly before 4.10pm the service sent an ambulance, a community paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “A car left the road and ended up in a ditch shortly after passing a community paramedic who was travelling in the opposite direction.

“Having seen the incident in his mirrors, the paramedic quickly turned around to check on the welfare of the single occupant in the car, a man believed to be in his 50s.

“The front end of the car had suffered significant damage and flames were instantly visible from the bonnet.

“The decision was quickly made to drag the man clear of the vehicle and to safety on a nearby grass verge. Shortly after getting the man to the grass verge, the entire car became engulfed in flames. The fire service was quickly on scene to put the fire out.

“The man was assessed by crews and found to be suffering a reduced level of consciousness. He was treated for a head injury and transported to Russells Hall Hospital for further assessment.”

Dudley Fire Station also sent two crews to the scene but the driver of the vehicle had already been removed by the paramedic prior to their arrival.