Wiltshire paramedic Barrie Slade has spoken of his shock after drivers failed to stop and help when his ambulance car was involved in a crash, trapping him inside.

"It was unbelievable," said Mr Slade, who was responding to a 999 call at All Cannings, near Devizes, when the accident happened.

"Drivers coming the other way shook their fists at me, even though I was sitting in a smashed up ambulance, trapped and possibly paralysed."

Mr Slade had to be cut free from the wreckage of his ambulance car after it was hit at high speed from behind by another car on the A365 near Melksham, close to the Redstocks turn off.

The accident happened on March 6 at about 8.30am and the road was closed for more than two hours for the rescue operation to take place.

Three fire crews had to cut the roof off the car to rescue Mr Slade and he was rushed to Bath's Royal United Hospital.

Mr Slade suffered severe spinal shock and lost all feeling in his legs.

He was released later that night but a week on is still suffering pain and numbness in his legs.

Mr Slade, who has been a paramedic in Wiltshire for 12 years, said he was shocked at the lack of concern shown by motorists travelling along the road.

He said: "The lorry coming the other way stopped and put his hazards on, but the chap didn't get out.

"The driver who hit me came up to me smiling. I can't repeat what I said to him, but I requested he return to his vehicle to wait for the police.

"But other drivers drove on by, even though they were witnesses to a serious crash. It was unbelievable."

He added: "The ambulance took about ten minutes to get there and it was the longest ten minutes of my life. Often I go to a situation like that and the people there say they'd been waiting ages and I know exactly why now - time is distorted in those situations."

Mr Slade is hoping to return to work soon.

He said: "I can't wait to get back out there. It makes me appreciate what people go through when they are involved in crashes.

"I also want people to know how dangerous it is responding to an emergency and for other drivers to take care when they see blue lights."

Wiltshire police said a file is being prepared on the crash and would be given to the Crown Prosecution Service.