A COMPANY director had an amazing escape as he wrestled with a thief trying to make off with his car.

The 62-year-old man was dragged along the busy Rainford by-pass, thrown into traffic and then hit by his own car as the crook sped away.

But, incredibly, the man escaped with only minor injuries as he fought to stop the thief stealing his Mondeo by grabbing him through the driver's window.

The victim and his 30-year-old son had been called to repair a mobile crane on the by-pass near the junction with Inglewood Road.

The company director parked his N-registered, dark-blue, Mondeo, a short distance from the crane but left the keys in the ignition to keep the yellow hazard light on top of his car flashing as a warning to other motorists.

As the two men were working on the crane, they saw a man walking along the central reservation towards their car and as he neared it he started to run and then got into the vehicle.

The man and his son ran back to the car and the company director

The thief then reversed quickly, dragging the victim for about 20 feet until he fell in front of oncoming traffic. The offender then hit the victim's right hip before speeding off towards the East Lancashire Road with the hazard lights still flashing.

The victim was taken to Whiston Hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruising to his hands, elbows, knees and hip.

The incident happened at about 6.45pm on Monday, February 12. The thief was white, aged about 30 years, 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall with a slim build and close-cropped hair receding at the front. He was wearing a jacket, tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or for information about the whereabouts of the blue Mondeo, registration N429 GRN.

Anyone who can help, can contact DC Paul Hesketh at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6076, the Incident Management Unit at St Helens on 0151 7776969, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.