A MAN was rushed to hospital with serious leg injuries after being trapped under a van.

The 68-year-old man was pulled to safety by two local workers after being hit by the van, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, yesterday afternoon.

The van also smashed into the garden wall of a home in the road, knocking it down.

Shocking CCTV, given to the Echo by reader Brendan Cavanagh, shows the moment the van crashes.

Kieron Whitby, 31, and Andy Bryant, 35, who work at LT Carpets, in Timberlog Lane, ran to the aid of the man before paramedics arrived at the scene.

Mr Whitby said: “We were having lunch when we heard a massive bang.

“I ran out and there were quite a few people standing around the van, and the driver was climbing out of it.

“There was an older man, between 50 and 60, underneath the van.

“We lifted it up and pulled the man out from underneath.

“He was laying on his back, so I guess the van would have been crushing him. I was scared at what we might find when we pulled the man out.

“I didn’t want to look. He wasn’t too bad, but there was a bit of blood from his hands and face. It was quite shocking.

I took off my coat and covered him with it in case he was cold.”

The crash took place at about 1.30pm.

Mr Bryant added: “I helped to pull the man out, but I was on the phone to the ambulance at the same time.

“The ambulance crews got there really quickly. I expected to see a lot of bad injuries when we pulled him out, but he didn’t look too bad.

“The community spirit was amazing. Lots of people ran over to check on how he was.”

Police closed Timberlog Lane in both directions, between Kirby Road and Luncies Road, while they cleared the scene.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said an ambulance and rapid response car attended. The man was taken to Basildon Hospital for treatment.

A 21-year-old man from Chigwell was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing serious injury, and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

The man has been released on bail until January 29.