A TEENAGER is fighting for his life after his car ploughed into railings at the roadside in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The 19-year-old, whose name has not been released by police, was driving along Eastmayne, Basildon, near the roundabout underneath the A127 Nevendon flyover, when he lost control.

The grey Citroen Saxo ploughed into nearby railings, leaving the car precariously balanced, with a rear wheel hooked on the metal fencing.

Firefighters from Basildon, Wickford and Leigh rushed to the scene and carried out a delicate rescue operation to avoid injuring the driver any further.

Basildon-based station officer Tony Clark said: "When we arrived, the car was in a very precarious position and the driver was severely injured, so it was a time-critical extrication.

"Because the back wheel was on the railings, it was just balancing on three points. It was quite a hazardous for us because we had to stabilise the car and make it safe."

Firefighters chocked up the car with blocks, before using cutting equipment to remove the car's side and roof.

The teenager, who comes from Basildon, was freed after about 30 minutes.

He suffered severe head and chest injuries and was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

After the crash, which followed a stormy evening of heavy rainfall, station officer Clark urged other motorists to take extra care on the roads.

Witnesses to the crash, at 2.30am on Thursday, should contact officers at Laindon Road Policing Unit on 01268 541312.