AN elderly man had a miraculous escape when he attempted to stop his car as it rolled away backwards in Fore Street, Kingsteignton.

As he tried desperately to get into his Citroen C4, it came to a standstill against the shop front of Fulfords Estate Agents, pinning him between the vehicle and the building.

Newton Abbot Fire Station watch manager Phil Scammells said it could have been much more serious.

‘It appears the handbrake failed and the car rolled down the hill backwards and he was trying to stop it. He got pulled over by the driver’s door which pushed him between the side of the vehicle and the building.

‘When we arrived the engine of the car was still running and for us it was a fairly straightforward job. We removed one of the doors to give access to the ambulance personnel and made sure the vehicle was stabilised.

‘Once he was out he was able to walk to the ambulance,’ said Mr Scammells.

Two appliances from the Newton Abbot station were sent to the scene at 3.20pm yesterday (thurs), and Fore Street was sealed off during the operation until re-opening at 4.30pm.