A LOCAL man is fighting for his life in hospital with extensive injuries after a serious road accident in which the car he was driving ended up on its roof.

The motorist, who it is believed had been to Newton St Cyres, was returning to Crediton just before 11pm on Friday, July 10.

The accident happened on the A377 on the Exeter side of Downes Mill a few hundred yards from the Hookway turning.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the driver had to be cut from the vehicle which had come to rest on its roof.

It is believed that the vehicle had rolled four times and that the engine had parted from the vehicle.

Firefighters from Crediton and the police helicopter were involved in the rescue.

After fears that a passenger or passengers could have been thrown from the vehicle, thermal imaging technology was used but this was unable to locate anyone.

Police closed the A377 at the Hookway turning and at the Tesco roundabout for more than 10 hours.

Existing road closures at Bickleigh and Newton St Cyres caused serious traffic issues for motorists attempting to find alternative routes during the 10 hour road closure.

Alan Quick