A DRIVER who had to be cut free from a car was airlifted to hospital after an freak accident involving a truck, two cars and a van.

Firefighters had to cut the roof off a Nissan Micra car and worked with paramedics to release the man trapped for an hour in the vehicle parked in a lay-by near the Greyhound Island at Leigh.

A 60-years-old man from Billinge was taken by North West Air Ambulance to Wythenshawe Hospital with head injuries. Another occupant managed to struggle free of the wreckage before rescuers arrived.

The A580 was closed after the accident part way between the Greyhound Island and the Atherleigh Way junction between Leigh and Lowton.

An eye witness said in the multi pile-up a bulk container broke free from its trailer which had become detached from its tractor unit. It struck an unoccupied Ford Escort at the rear of three vehicles parked in the layby alongside the Liverpool-bound carriageway.

The Escort was badly damaged as was the Nissan in which two men were sitting. The medium sized white van also parked in the lay-by was slightly damaged.

The truck involved was from Boden and Davies sawdust and shavings works in Lower Green Lane, Astley.

The road was cleared when a 30 tonne mobile crane belonging to Commhoist of Pocket Nook Lane, Lowton, caught in the traffic hold-up, was manoeuvred into position by driver Keith Greenhalgh and lifted the container clear.

Nobody was available for comment at Boden and Davies.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the injured man was being treated for minor head injuries at Wythenshawe.