A CRASH victim who was found choking on his own tongue after a lorry smashed into his car has thanked Wiltshire Air Ambulance for helping getting him to hospital quickly and safely.

Alan Dore, 26, was driving his Mitsubishi Warrior on the outskirts of Cirencester on January 6 when a 44-ton lorry hit him at the Cherry Tree Lane junction of the A417.

His car and the lorry were both damaged and left debris all over the road, meaning that it had to be closed to traffic as police and ambulance staff rushed to the scene.

Alan was trapped in the car for more than an hour and because the extent of his injuries was unknown Wiltshire Air Ambulance, operating in their new helicopter for the first time, were called out.

Ross Culligan, who was one of the critical care paramedics on Wiltshire Air Ambulance who treated Alan said: “His vehicle had crumpled around him following the impact. He was suffering a suspected head injury, arm and leg injuries and we gave him pain relief.

“We had to make sure that anything we and the other emergency services did not exacerbate his pain and injuries. He was cut out of his vehicle and we treated him for potential spinal injuries."

The journey took just five minutes in the air ambulance, compared to an average journey time of half an hour on the roads.

Miraculously Alan, from Ampney Crucis near Cirencester, escaped with serious bruises but no broken bones and no spinal injuries.

He explained that he was knocked out by the initial impact and was then medicated by the ambulance teams.

He said: “I didn’t really know what was going on but it was good having the air ambulance there.

“It was quite an experience but I didn’t get to look out of the windows as I was strapped down.

“The staff were all really friendly and I’ve been there since to say thanks and to take a look at the new helicopter.”

Alan added that as well as air ambulance staff he needed to thank an Alexcars coach driver named Martin who stopped immediately after the crash and stopped him from choking on his tongue.

Joking about the incident Alan said that he believed his car helped a lot as it held up surprisingly well under the impact.

He added: “I’d recommend one of them.”