Four men were lucky to avoid serious injury after their car ploughed into a lamp post and burst into flames in Bristol.

They escaped from the wreckage of the Rover MG after the collision at the junction of Charlton Road and Passage Road in Henbury at 9.30pm on Tuesday.

After being examined by paramedics, the men were taken to Frenchay Hospital by ambulance for treatment.

The driver, a man in his 20s, had neck pain and a wrist injury.

One passenger was treated by paramedics after he had collapsed, one had potential spinal injuries and a fourth, in his late teens, had concussion.

Fire crews put out the blaze and the road was closed for 30 minutes.

Great Western Ambulance Service received several calls after witnesses spotted the car lose control and crash before catching fire.

Three ambulance crews were sent to the scene.

Emergency care assistant Laura Johnson, who was working on one of the ambulances, said: "These lads were incredibly lucky.

"The car was very badly damaged and it is a miracle that they escaped without more serious injuries.

"It was very cold and all four lads were grateful to be transferred to the warm ambulances."

Clinical team leader and paramedic Chris Hewett, who also attended, said: "We rarely encounter cars that burst into flames after accidents, so we were relieved that the lads' injuries didn't stop them from getting out of the wreckage.

"The rescue operation went very smoothly, with good co-operation between police, fire and ambulance workers at the scene."