FOUR men showed an astonishing feat of strength in a real-life 999 drama - by lifting up a two-ton van that had overturned, crushing the trapped driver's arm.

They managed to heave the vehicle ten inches off the ground - just enough for the victim's arm to be pulled clear.

It had been turning blue because of the agonising weight resting on it, and the driver had been helpless to do anything.

Details of the heroic rescue operation in Hampshire emerged today.

On hearing a loud bang, the men had rushed to the unnamed driver's aid.

Workers at Outline Waste Management, in Southampton Road, near Romsey, had seen his Southampton City Council van flip over while trying to avoid a collision.

First on the scene was Paul Bird, 29, who also recovered the driver's wallet, which had been thrown some 20 yards down the road by the force of the accident.

Mr Bird, a father-of-one from Burgoyne Road, Thornhill, Southampton, said: "We heard a loud bang and we saw a van on its side.

"We rushed out to the road and made sure the man was all right. He was very dazed and his arm was trapped so we phoned the police and an ambulance."

While they waited for the emergency services to arrive, Mr Bird and colleagues Tony Randolph, Richard Rowben and Zack Collis, lifted the van up slightly.

A spokesman for Hampshire Ambulance Service acknowledged the actions of the group and praised them for not attempting to move the driver out of the vehicle.

He said: "Thanks to the group's prompt action and intervention the driver's injuries were not as serious as they could have been.

"I understand the patient's arm was trapped but by the time ambulance services reached the scene the driver was able to make his own way out.

"The temptation is to get involved but that is often not the best thing for the patient."

The driver, who has yet to be named, was taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering from cuts and bruises. He is now recovering back at home with his family.

A spokeswoman for the City Council said: "Our employee is still recovering from the shock of the accident.

"We at the council are very grateful to the group of people who came to his aid."