Pub regulars and staff who dragged a road crash victim from the blazing wreckage of his car were praised yesterday.

They ran out to help after two cars collided head-on outside The Dog Inn, near Heighington, County Durham.

They freed Jonathan Andrew Bradley from his burning Citroen, which burst into flames after the accident with a Seat Ibiza.

Mr Bradley, 32, of Darlington was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but was certified dead on arrival.

Landlady Pam Askey said: "All of my customers and staff were absolutely amazing, everyone just got straight out there.

"We weren't really that busy, it was predominantly my regulars who were in. They just literally dived in and got him out."

One diner, who asked not to be named, said: "The landlady and her regulars went straight outside to help, despite the flames and the wreckage.

"It was unreal. I didn't know people were good enough to still act that way."

Debris from the vehicles was still scattered over the grass verge near the pub yesterday following the crash at about 8.20pm on Thursday.

The Seat driver suffered a broken arm. His two passengers sustained serious injuries and were being treated at the hospital yesterday. Their injuries were not said to be life-threatening.

Fire service divisional officer Dave Turnbull said: "The members of the public are the stalwart of the fire service.

"Of course we don't always advise people having a go because things can go wrong.

"But what these people did was obviously very community-spirited and the fire service applauds their bravery in this incident."

Two fire appliances from Newton Aycliffe and one from Bishop Auckland, as well as a heavy rescue vehicle, were called to the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Durham Police's road traffic unit on 0191-375 2159 or 0845 6060365