A MYSTERY hero who almost certainly saved the life of a motorist by pulling him from a blazing car has been praised for selfless cour­­age.

The driver was unconscious and trapped in his car in the early hours of Sunday morning about one and a half miles from the Dilke Hospital on the Speech House side of the B4226.

A spokesman for Glou­­cestershire Police said they received a call at 4.45am on Sunday with the caller reported seeing the collision involving a black Citroen Saxo.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted by the police and sent two fire engines from Cinderford and one from Coleford. There were a total of 18 firefighters at the scene.

The driver, who is believed to be from Glou­cester, had been rescued when the firefighters arrived but the vehicle was well alight.

They worked to put out the flames using two hose reels and two breathing apparatus and, with police, ensured the area was safe.

Gloucestershire's Chief Fire Officer Jon Hall said: "We would always encourage anyone who comes across an incident like this to immediately call the emergency services and not risk their own safety.

"However, the quick-thinking actions of this particular passer-by may well have saved the driver's life.

"This was an extraordinarily selfless rescue."

An ambulance from Cinderford was at the scene within six minutes of being called and took the driver to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.