The man involved in an accident with a police van in Ottery is suffering from two broken legs and broken ribs.

Michael Bird, 61, says he is ‘comfortable’ in hospital, despite the accident which saw him trapped underneath the police vehicle on Saturday night.

Special constables were travelling to an unrelated disturbance in a marked police van around 11.30pm, when they were involved in a low-speed collision with Mr Bird on the junction of Gold Street and Brook Street.

The 61 year-old, who was freed by police, off-duty fire staff and members of the public, was taken to hospital in Exeter with what were described as ‘serious but not life-threatening’ injuries.

A spokesman for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital confirmed he remains in its care and is suffering from broken bones in both his legs, and some broken ribs.

They said they had spoken to Mr Bird and he said he was: “Comfortable and being well looked after at the Royal Devon and Exeter.”

Ottery Fire Commander Gary Shaw, who attended the accident, said he didn’t know what had happened initially.

He explained: “There was a gentleman under a car, police had already jacked it up and got some blocks from somewhere. They did really well.

“All we did was jack it up further so it was off the gentleman. The ambulance stabilised him and put him on a spinal board.”

Police confirmed investigations are ongoing into circumstances surrounding the collision, and are appealing for witnesses to come forward, including anyone who may have taken video footage of the incident on mobile phones.

Anyone with information should call on the non emergency number 101, quoting log number 877 291011.