Neighbour tells of fatal car crash near Bristol

A man who was first on the scene of a fatal car crash near Bristol has told how he rushed to help the driver.

Richard Hughes was woken up by the sound of the accident in Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield.

A Ford Mondeo had smashed into an electricity pole and overturned at about 2.45am on Friday.

The 60-year-old driver was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to Frenchay Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Mr Hughes said the crash happened outside his house.

He said: “I couldn’t understand what was going on. The whole of my bay window was lit up and I thought there were fireworks outside.

“I looked outside and could see the car upside down and no one about.

“I went outside and saw the man still in the car. I grabbed his hand but couldn’t feel a pulse.

“Then the police and other emergency services arrived and I helped to get the man out of the car.

“But I was really worried about the electricity cables.

“My legs were tingling and there was petrol on the road and I shouted for someone to get the electricity company.”

Mr Hughes, 46, an air-conditioning engineer, praised Western Power Distribution for quickly replacing the pole, which had snapped in the impact, leaving just a couple of feet of timber in the ground.

Some 26 properties in Blackhorse Road and Jubilee Crescent had power cut during the repair but supplies were restored before 7.15am.

Mr Hughes said: “It was really hard to try and go back to sleep afterwards” because of what had happened and the engineers outside fixing the pole and then I had to go to work.”

The unnamed victim was alone in the car.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the accident, which happened as the car was being driven south along the road.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 08454 567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.