A FORMER dinner lady leapt into action to help a 78-year-old man after he smashed into a tree.

The pensioner suffered serious injuries in the crash and an air ambulance was called to the scene.

It happened at the junction of Hall Green and Madresfield Road, in Malvern, at around 11.35am today.

Jen Smith, of Pound Bank Road, Malvern, aged 45, administered first aid to the injured man.

She said: “We were driving down the road and saw a young girl in pink trying to get some help. I pulled over and I ripped open the door as it was stuck.

“The air bag was smoky-looking so I pushed it out of his face and tried bringing him around, it took about five minutes.

“He was in shock – his pulse rate was weak and he was gasping. He eventually came round. Then a guy came past with a first aid box.

“I was holding the bleed [on his leg] with a tissue. My partner had called an ambulance and the fire brigade. I got someone to hold his head and another guy was putting a dressing on his arm as it was also bleeding.

"I used to work at Great Malvern Primary School so I know first aid. Instinct took control.

“I saw the car crushed badly into the tree, like it was moulded by it. The car was literally in his leg and the airbags were both blown.”

Ms Smith said air ambulance staff then arrived at the scene, followed by other members of the emergency services.

She added that a friend, who happened to be passing by, drove the air ambulance crew to the crash after they landed in a nearby field.

She said an Audley Care Malvern worker also helped the man.

The road was closed following the incident, although it reopened shortly before 3.40pm.

Anyone with information about the crash can ring police on 101 quoting incident number 272s of September 30.