A SOLDIER was lucky to walk away alive after he was forced off the road and his car overturned.

Andrew Carder's car rolled more than four times before coming to a stop 20 metres from the road on the A30.

The incident took place last Sunday afternoon just after 24-year-old Andrew, of Basingstoke, had filled his car with petrol at Sainsbury's in Kempshott.

The Tidworth-based soldier was at a roundabout to join the A30, heading towards the M3, when he became aware of a silver people carrier behind him.

He said: "I went off the first exit into the left-hand lane of the dual carriageway. The right-hand lane was free and the people carrier came up behind me."

Both vehicles stopped at a set of traffic lights but when they set off, Andrew saw the people carrier move into the right lane, overtake, then pull sharply back in front of him.

To avoid hitting the vehicle, Andrew veered into the right-hand lane only to have the vehicle cut in front of him again and brake.

He said: "I slammed on my brakes and tried to pull the car round him but the back end went."

The wheels of Andrew's V-registered Peugeot 206 hit the curb and the car started to flip over.

The driver of the people carrier stopped further ahead but drove off when he saw Andrew emerge from his crushed car.

Andrew, who was treated for bruising and whiplash, said: "I was pretty lucky to walk away from it."

Anyone who can help the police trace the driver of the people carrier, or any witnesses to the crash, should contact Basingstoke police on 0845 045 45 45.