A MOTORIST cut free from the tangled wreckage of his car became the victim of another crash minutes later - when his ambulance collided with a car.

The ambulance landed on its side after skidding 40 foot along the road.

Miraculously, the casualty, two hospital consultants, a paramedic, driver and staff nurse inside all escaped without serious injury.

The freak double accident happened during Monday's rush hour and closed Ashley Way for four hours, causing huge traffic delays, throughout Widnes and Runcorn.

Firefighter Peter Williams, said: "It was unbelievable. I've been a fireman for 18 years and attended some serious crashes but I've never seen an incident like this.

"We were just finishing getting our equipment on board after the first crash when the police told us there had been another one down the road.

"The ambulance had turned over onto its side and skidded 40ft along the road. It was bizarre."

Sgt Yvonne Williams of Halton police traffic unit, said: "It was very fortunate everyone in the ambulance had been strapped in otherwise they would undoubtedly have been injured."

The 67-year-old motorist had to be rescued by firefighters after his left leg was trapped in the first collision.

Two consultants and a staff nurse from Whiston Hospital gave him emergency treatment, as crews used special cutting equipment to free him.

His Granada was involved in a collision with a Rover, driven by a 40-year-old Widnes man, at the bypass junction near Ann Street West.

Minutes later, the ambulance, under police escort, collided with a Ford Fiesta, driven by a 26-year-old woman.

She was coming from Widnes town centre and struck the ambulance near Aldi.

"The ambulance driver was in an awkward position inside but still had his seatbelt on," said firefighter Williams. "He managed to climb out of the passenger door and we set up a ladder for him.

"The casualty was still strapped in his stretcher and we managed to lift him out."

The motorist, who sustained serious leg injuries in the first crash, was described as 'stable' on Tuesday.

A Whiston Hospital spokeswoman said: "Our staff behaved in an extremely admirable and heroic manner. Due to their very extensive experience and training they were wearing safety seatbelts in the ambulance, as was the patient. Thus their injuries were very minor and they were able to continue tending to the patient while waiting for a second ambulance to come and collect them."