Boy, 10, cut free after crashing car

A boy aged 10 who took his father's car out for a drive crashed it into a lamp post today and had to be cut free from the wreckage.

Police believe the boy - who escaped with only a slight injury - lost control of the Rover 420 before careering into the street light just after 5.30am.

Three fire crews were sent to the scene in Basildon where they worked to free the boy so that paramedics could take him to Basildon General Hospital.

He is being treated there for a hand injury and his condition is described as stable.

The road was closed for three hours while the boy was rescued and the wreckage cleared.

Police are investigating the crash and have appealed for witnesses. A police spokeswoman said the boy could face prosecution after taking the car. She added: "He has been very lucky but I don't think he will be very popular with his parents."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "A young boy was cut from the wreckage after a collision on South Maine. The driver of a blue Rover 420 lost control of the vehicle and struck a street lamp.

"The 10-year-old driver and only occupant was taken to Basildon General Hospital after having been cut free from the wreckage by officers of Essex County Fire and Rescue.

"The boy is stable in hospital after sustaining a hand injury. We are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward."