A LORRY driver from Trowbridge narrowly escaped being crushed to death under his cab after yobs released the handbrake.

The man, who has not been named, had to be released by firefighters after he was pinned against a fence by the lorry at a Weymouth industrial estate on Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old driver, who works at Wilts Wholesale Electrical Company on the White Horse Business Park, suffered a broken ankle in the incident but firefighters, who worked for 30 minutes to free him, say he was lucky to escape with his life.

Leading firefighter Martin Ryan, from Weymouth Fire Station, said: "The vehicle began rolling and in an attempt to stop it the man became pinned against a steel fence.

"His legs were trapped under the cab by the wheels and his back was against the fence.

"It was a very awkward extrication and it was a miracle the driver was not crushed."

The driver was working behind his lorry just after midnight when he noticed it begin to move and saw someone running away.

He rushed to the front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop it moving but became trapped.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "It appears that the handbrake was deliberately released and we need to catch the person responsible."

The man managed to use his mobile phone to contact emergency services and the fire brigade used air-powered tools and hydraulic cutting equipment to remove the fence and release him.

He was recovering at home today after receiving treatment for a broken ankle.

No-one at Wilts Wholesale Electrical was available for comment at the time of going to press.