A ten-year-old boy who left home driving his father's car had a miraculous escape when he crashed on a dual carriageway today.

The schoolboy was rescued by firefighters from Basildon and Leigh who used heavy cutting gear to cut him free from the Rover 400 at around 5.30am in Southmayne, Basildon.

The youngster, who had packed the car with his bike, PlayStation, and clothes, was driving the car from Pitsea towards Basildon when he is believed to have taken a bend too quickly and lost control.

The vehicle hit a wall, railings and was almost bent in half when it hit a lamppost.

Paramedics and police were on the scene within minutes and the shocked boy's parents arrived shortly afterwards.

He was placed on a spinal board and rushed to Basildon Hospital by ambulance.

Basildon red watch station officer Joe Hassell said but for the boy's size and the fact he was wearing a seat belt, he would not have survived the accident.

"I can't believe he got away with it like he did.

"Thankfully he did have his seat belt on. If he didn't he would have died without a doubt."

PC Graham White confirmed a ten-year-old driver was involved in the collision and called on witnesses to call Laindon Road Policing Unit on 01268 541312.

Published Tuesday August 31, 2004

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