TWO motorists have been hailed heroes for pulling a man from the wreckage of a burning car.

Police praised Chris Fardell and Peter Rogers for their quick thinking after a three-car smash on the A350 in Beanacre.

A Ford Mondeo saloon, travelling towards Melksham, was involved in a head-on collision with a Ford Focus and a Ford Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction.

Mr Fardell, of Trowbridge, and Mr Rogers, a lorry driver for the Faccenda Group on the West Wilts Trading Estate, sprung into action after witnessing the accident at about 7am on Wednesday.

Mr Rogers punched out the Focus's windows in a desperate attempt to get to the unconscious driver, Brian Johnson, of Trowbridge, and managed to pull him out before flames engulfed the car.

The 62-year-old crash victim was seriously injured and was rushed to the RUH in Bath for emergency surgery. He is described as being in a serious condition.

Police spokesman Steve Drage said: "Mr Johnson's life was undoubtedly saved by two quick-thinking local men when his car was engulfed by flames.

"They both risked their own safety to drag Mr Johnson, who was initially trapped by his feet, from his burning car."

The woman driver of the Mondeo suffered leg injuries and was also taken to the RUH where she is in a comfortable condition, and the driver of the Fiesta received minor injuries and was treated at Chippenham Hospital.

Police closed the road for five-and-a-half hours while the casualties were treated and wreckage cleared.

Road campaigner Gary Jardine said the accident was another example of why Beanacre needed a bypass.

"All accidents on this road highlight the need for a bypass. We have had so many over the years," he said.

"We had an accident on the road last week and the week before.

"The council needs to take action."

Mr Jardine organised a protest march in October to highlight calls to divert traffic away from the village.

The 54-year-old is spearheading the campaign because he says up to 22,000 vehicles thunder through the village every day. He is urging people to sign petitions which will be sent to roads' minister Lord Whitty.

Wiltshire County Council has already warned bidding for a bypass could take several years but one is proposed in the county structure plan.

The application would then have to secure government funding.

Anyone with information about the accident can phone Melksham Police on (01225) 703444.