A FATHER and son from Swindon are lucky to be alive after escaping the burning wreckage of their BMW minutes before it exploded.

Matthew Rothwell, 30, of Lydiard Millicent, was trapped in the flaming wreckage of his BMW for several minutes before pulling himself through the passenger door and away from the car.

His father Malcolm, 57, helped pull his son free from the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames, but both men were caught by the blast.

After escaping with minor injuries, Matthew Rothwell admitted he was still traumatised and in deep shock.

The two men were trapped in the car after colliding with a Porsche 911 in the village of Christian Malford, near Chippenham, on Tuesday.

Porsche driver Gary Pearce, 35, who lived in the village, was killed in the crash despite paramedics battling to free him.

A purple TVR was also in collision with the BMW before skidding into a ditch.

Mr Rothwell said in a statement: "Although my father and myself were injured and traumatised by the accident, we feel we are extremely lucky to be alive.

"My car immediately burst into flames and I could not escape by my door as it was jammed.

"I exited the car by the passenger door. No sooner had my father and I got out of the car, it exploded."

check with mark: is it okay to say TVR was travelling on the wrong side of the road??