A quick-thinking postman saved a student's life by pulling him from the wreckage of his blazing car

Mick Jaycock helped the 23-year-old Oxfordshire man to safety after the car burst into flames following a crash.

Mr Jaycock, from Tiddington, near Thame, was driving home after his Saturday morning round when he saw the man a student at Oxford Brookes University trapped in his Peugeot 306 after a collision with a blue Rover saloon on the A418, outside the village.

Mr Jaycock was today praised by police and firefighters for helping the driver to safety before the emergency services arrived. The man, who has not been named, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, before being transferred to the specialist burns unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury. His condition was later described as poorly.

The driver of the Rover, a 28-year-old woman, was taken to hospital with head and neck injuries.

Station Officer Kevin Parfitt from The Slade Fire Station in Headington said Mr Jaycock had saved the driver's life.

He said: "It was thanks to his quick thinking that the man was brought out alive. His car was very badly damaged and if he hadn't been assisted his injuries could have been even worse.

"Any road traffic accident involving fire is a serious scenario because of the possibility of people being trapped, so we are always relieved to see people released. Obviously this individual took the right action and it was very worthwhile."

Mr Jaycock said: "The man was hanging out of the car and I helped pull him out. It was a shock, as you don't expect things like that to happen. I just wanted to help the poor lad through. I hope I did enough. It shook me up but I feel so sorry for his parents. "

Inspector Sean Hodgson, of Thames Valley Police said: "The driver suffered serious burns and was only saved by the passing postman."

He urged any witnesses to call Abingdon Police on 01235 556920.