A VAN driver who was run over by a thief attempting to drive away with his vehicle is now out of intensive care as he begins to recover from his injuries.

Paul Swindells was seriously injured following a struggle with a thief when he fell under the wheels and came trapped underneath the van in Erksine Close, Deane on Saturday.

Bandmates have cancelled gigs and suspended work on their latest album until he is fit to play again.

The talented musician from Walton-le-Dale, in the Ribble Valley, is now out of intensive care and said to be “on the mend and quite chirpy” in the Royal Preston Hospital. But it could be months before he is able to return to the recording studio.

And fellow members of the Preston rock band have vowed not to get back on stage until he is ready to continue.

“He is a key part of the band,” said lead vocalist Frank Halliwell. “So we won’t be playing again until he is better. People have said we could look for a short-term stand-in, but we don’t want to do that. Had we been under contract then maybe we might have had to.

“But we’ve cancelled one or two gigs. We have been doing an album, so that will have to be held back until Paul’s OK to return. The main thing is getting him fit and back to work. Knowing him he’ll be itching to get back as soon as he can. It could take a while, but we’ll wait.”

Police have put out an appeal for help tracing the man who attempted to steal Mr Swindells’ van while he was working for Countrywide Signs.

Man seriously injured after thief steals his van and runs him over

He was putting up for sale signs at around 12.50pm when he heard someone getting into the driver’s seat of his van.

Mr Swindells was dragged along the road before the vehicle was abandoned and the driver ran off.

He was treated by paramedics and airlifted to hospital where he needed an emergency operation.

He has a fractured pelvis and needs skin grafts. He is also due to have surgery in the next few days on a broken hand.

Firefighters spent 30 minutes freeing the 24-year-old by lifting the van.

Due to his suspected injuries firefighters had to find a controlled way of lifting the van up to a height where he could be safely moved.

The cul-de-sac was cordoned off as police investigated the incident.

A resident who witnessed the incident and rushed to comfort Mr Swindells, said that the van drove into a neighbour’s and his garden before turning back into the road.

The resident added that emergency services were on the scene very quickly and he was only on the ground with Mr Swindells for around five minutes before the fire service took over, shortly followed by the police and paramedics.

An air ambulance landed in neighbouring Beaumont Primary School fields.

Jane Bickerstaffe, director of Countrywide Signs Preston, said over the weekend that she ‘could not believe’ such an incident had happened, adding that she was lost for words.

She also wished him a speedy recovery.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.