A DRIVER of a 40ft crane was recovering after being seriously injured when it toppled over at Southampton dockyard.

The straddle carrier, one of about 90 at the docks used to manoeuvre around containers, collapsed at berth 207 off Western Avenue at about noon on Saturday.

Up to 12 firefighters from St Mary's and Redbridge fire stations were called to help release the trapped driver from the wreckage.

He was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

An ambulance spokesman said the man's condition was described by doctors at the scene as "serious but stable".

Redbridge fire crew manager Simon Fearnley said: "The crane had totally collapsed and fallen on its side.

"It was moving at the time but wasn't carrying a container."

Mr Fearnley said he didn't know what caused the fall but called it a "very rare occurrence."

He said firefighters helped make space in the cab to get out the driver who appeared to have "cuts and bruising" but was conscious.

He said dock engineers moved in to cordon off the scene and investigate, taking measurements and checking CCTV.

They mopped up and contained a diesel and hydraulic fluid spillage from the crane with drums and absorbent materials.

Hampshire fire service's urban search and rescue team had been sent out but weren't needed.

Docks operator Southampton Container Terminals, a joint venture between port owner ABP and P&O Containers, declined to comment.

A similar crane toppled over in July 2005 at Dock Gate 20 leaving the driver, in his 30s, in intensive care.

He was behind the controls of a new Noell straddle-carrier.

SCT launched an investigation into what happened and took another five machines similar to the new model involved in the accident out of service pending the outcome of their inquiry.