‘TERRIFYING’ pictures revealing the aftermath of a horrific smash have been released to warn drivers of the dangers of racing along the county’s roads.

Alexander Johnson and Simon Absolam ‘miraculously’ survived the shocking smash, which started after 'banter' in the queue for a McDonald's Drive-Thru.

The crash left them dangling upside down in a crushed Volkswagen Golf as its engine ripped out upon impact.

Driver Johnson was attempting to race another vehicle along the A4074, near the Dorchester bypass, when he lost control, leaving his friend with serious injuries on September 13 last year.

Judge Peter Ross handed the ‘Jack the lad’ an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, and condemned him for ‘gambling’ with the lives of innocent motorists.

He said he hoped the case would serve as a warning to young drivers, adding: “Anyone looking at these images would wonder how on earth did anyone get out alive.

“It is a miracle. You nearly killed yourself and your friend. Mercifully there was nothing coming the other way. Had there been, there would have been fatalities in both vehicles. The car looks like it has been through a vehicle crush.”

Prosecutor Cathy Olliver told Oxford Crown Court Johnson had ‘banter’ with a group in another car when in the queue at McDonald’s drive-thru in Benson.

Chef Johnson tried to catch up with the group after leaving, zooming across the streets and then along the A4074 at speeds between 85 and 90mph.

The 23-year-old, who had no previous convictions, swerved to overtake a vehicle but lost control, crossing the road, bashing into a tree and severing its trunk, Ms Olliver said on Thursday.

Johnson’s car rolled onto its roof and on top of part of the tree as the two men were suspended upside down by their seatbelts.

Mr Absolam was left with a mild brain injury, facial abrasions, a left elbow fracture, bruising to his shoulder, a minor spinal fracture and a punctured lung.

Defence barrister Michael Goold said Johnson, of Sinodun View, Warborough, Wallingford, was remorseful and did not intend to cause harm or damage but had no recollection of the smash.

Johnson, who admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was made subject to a three-month curfew, a three-year driving ban, ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work and pay £6,000 compensation.