Commuters faced heavy traffic last night after a pensioner crashed his car into a wall.

It was initially thought the 79-year-old had been hit by a car on Croydon Road, Beddington, but police confirmed he crashed his car into a wall while reversing out of his drive.

The emergency services were called to the scene at around 1.10pm and closed the road at the junction with Plough Lane.

The road remained closed for four hours as firefighters cut the roof off the car to free the man.

Once released he was taken as a priority to St George's Hospital by ambulance.

A spokeswoman for the London Ambulance Service said: "We sent two ambulance crews and our staff treated a 79-year-old man.

"He had abdominal, back and head pain, but was fully concious and breathing."

Bus routes 407, 410 and X26 were diverted until the road reopened at around 5.15pm.