A RECOVERY driver's leg was severed when he was crushed between two vehicles in a motorway accident at Worsley.

Ian Hargreaves, 39, was pinned between his recovery waggon and a car which careered out of control on the hard shoulder of the M60.

Mr Hargreaves, of Hampden Street, Heywood, was trapped between the two vehicles as he worked to recover a car which had been damaged in an earlier accident.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were also at the scene but could only watch helplessly as Mr Hargreaves was crushed.

Ambulance paramedics treated the recovery driver as firefighters released him. He was taken to Salford's Hope Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Today he was still detained in hospital and was described as "very poorly".

The accident happened at 8.58am yesterday when Mr Hargreaves - who is employed by a Middleton-based car recovery firm - was called to an accident on the M60, near the East Lancs Road, Worsley.

Mr Hargreaves was on the hard shoulder trying to recover a damaged Vauxhall Corsa car. Police, fire and ambulance crews were also on the motorway.

A police spokesman said the driver of a Rover then lost control of his car.

The Rover careered into the broken down Corsa before spinning round and trapping Mr Hargreaves against his breakdown waggon. His left leg was severed as he was pinned between the two.

The trapped man was giving pain killing injections as firefighters battled to release him. Police sealed off the motorway throughout the rescue operation.

The driver of the Rover and a front seat passenger were also injured. They were also taken to Hope Hospital after being treated at the scene.

Police were today seeking witnesses. Anyone who can help can contact the GMP motorway unit on 0161 872 5050.

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