A MAN from Tyldesley in Greater Manchester was airlifted to the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday after his car overturned outside Darwen.

Ambulance and fire crews from Darwen were called to the crash scene on Belmont Road, near Springfield Reservoir, yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for Darwen Ambulance Service said: "The man was travelling in the direction of the M65 when his car, a silver BMW, overturned several times before landing in a nearby field."

"The air ambulance was called and the man was taken to Bolton Royal Infirmary with injuries to his legs, shoulders and chest."

A spokesman for Darwen Fire Brigade said: "When we reached the scene of the accident, paramedics had managed to pull the man free from the car."

"The car was a fairly new BMW, which looked like it was fitted with about six or seven airbags which may very well have saved his life."

"From the looks of the car, it appears he was fortunate to escape with his life."