A driver was left with life-threatening injuries after an accident this morning.

Fire fighters from New Malden, Surbiton and a specialist rescue unit from Chelsea attended the accident in the A238 Coombe Lane West, near Southwood Avenue at 10.50am.

New Malden watch manager Steve Preston said the male driver, who he thought was in this 30s, tried to turn right into Southwood Avenue when he was hit from behind by another car.

He said: “The driver complained of pains in his neck and his spine so we removed the roof of the vehicle so he could be taken out and put straight into the ambulance.

“It was quite a shunt by the looks of it. He was moved significantly up the road but no air bags were deployed.”

A London Ambulance spokesman said an ambulance crew was flagged down to the collision and a further ambulance crew were sent to the scene and took one patient to Kingston Hospital.

Coombe Lane West was shut in both directions following the accident and buses were diverted.

The roads were reopened at 12.01pm.

A Kingston police spokesman said: “A man was taken to a South London hospital with non life threatening injuries.

“No arrests. Investigations are ongoing