A MAN has been rescued from underneath a van following a collision in Bolton today.

Firefighters spent half an hour lifting the vehicle off the man, believed to be in his 30s, in Blairmore Drive.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics for several injuries and has now been airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital.

Neighbours believed the man was working at a property in Erskine Close, just off Blairmore Drive, when he heard someone get into his van.

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A resident in Blairmore Drive, said: "A man was walking past with his dog and came running back and said someone had been run over.

"He told my neighbour that he had heard the driver of the van shout 'get out of the way, or I'll run you over'.

"We believe the man had been working on a house in  Erskine Close, and left his keys inside his van.

"He heard his engine go and saw that someone had got inside so he ran in front of it to stop him getting away.

"Apparently he hit him and dragged him under his van for a short while.

"The fire crews really had to lift it up to get him out so I think he had become stuck in a difficult position.

"We saw the air ambulance take him away so we're all hoping he is okay."

The cul-de-sac is currently closed off as police investigate the incident, which took place at around 12.50pm.

Bolton fire station watch manager Ian Ainsworth said: “Because of the patient’s suspected injuries we had to find a controlled way of lifting the van up to a height were he could safely be moved.

“It took us half an hour to lift it and he was conscious at the scene.”

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.