A FIERY car smash has put a 27-year-old man in hospital.  His red Peugeot hit a granite wall at Route de Cobo shortly before 11 last night.

‘I heard the crash and got out of bed,’ said witness Martyn Langlois. ‘Then I just saw the flames, got on the phone and rang 999.’

The car had been travelling from Cobo towards Saumarez Park. It toppled a granite pillar before spinning across the road into Mr Langlois’ driveway.

‘The police were on the scene at once,’ said Mr Langlois. ‘They pulled him out. A neighbour got out a garden hose to try and put the fire out, and the police got a fire extinguisher. When the ambulance crews took him away, I heard them say “stay with us”.’

Sergeant Jo Reynolds said: ‘There was only one man involved. The police car had been at another job at the Rockmount, so were quickly on the scene.’

The Ambulance and Rescue Service was also there quickly. ‘The single occupant of the car was taken to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital with facial injuries,’ said station officer John Le Page. ‘He arrived there at 11.30.’