THE HEROIC actions of a Pembroke man stopped a serious road accident becoming a disaster.

A Ford Fiesta and tractor collided on the A40 half a mile east of St Clears roundabout at 4.50pm on Saturday.

The tractor flipped and witnesses feared the driver was trapped underneath. Huwie Collins, of Collins Bros Plant Hire, manoeuvred his lorry through the traffic in case the Hiab, a small crane, was needed to lift the tractor.

When it was established the driver had been thrown clear, Mr Collins turned his attention to the Fiesta.

Fuel from the tractor was flowing towards the car and the passenger trapped inside. He forced open the bonnet and isolated the battery to stop the fuel igniting.

Witness Ray Roberts said: "His actions definitely stopped a nasty situation turning into devastation."

Huw, son of Pembrokeshire County Council vice-chairman Clive Collins, said pushing to the front made him unpopular with motorists who did not realise what he was doing.

But his cousin's life was saved when a vehicle was lifted off him by a forklift, so he knew it was a matter of life or death for the tractor driver.

"It shook me up," he said, "but someone had to make things safe."

The road was closed for four hours while emergency services cleared the scene. The Fiesta driver escaped with minor injuries, but her male passenger remains in a serious condition at Morriston Hospital.

An ambulance transferred the tractor driver to Glangwili Hospital.

Carmarthen Police ask witnesses to contact them on 01267 232000.