A PENSIONER was fortunate to escape serious injuries this morning after his car collided with a small tanker at the crossroads at the top of Firgrove Hill and rolled over onto its roof.

The crash happened shortly after 10am on Thursday when the man’s Honda Jazz, coming out of Great Austins, was hit side-on by a tanker owned by drainage specialists Free Flow Services.

The impact was strong enough to roll the Honda onto its roof and onlookers quickly rushed to the man’s aid, but miraculously he was able to clamber from the car without injury. The driver of the tanker was also unhurt.

A community first responder was on the scene within minutes and an employee of Waverley Borough Council’s repairs contractor Mears allowed the driver of the Honda to sit in his van until the arrival of the fire service, police and an ambulance soon afterward.

Ridgway Road was closed westbound by the crash and police were, around 10.30am, diverting traffic at the junction. Ridgway Road remained open eastbound.