accidentally driving his car over a bank in Warwick.

The Fire Brigade was called out to a report that the driver of a red Suzuki Fronte was trapped inside the vehicle, which had come to a precarious standstill after hitting a tree stump at the top of the slope.

But when the brigade arrived at the 60ft bank on Middle Road, near to the Warwick Workman's Club, the driver had managed to safely climb out of the car.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to his facial wounds, and the front of the car suffered damage, but the brigade's Lieutenant Michael Mullan said the accident could have been much worse.

He said: "The driver was very lucky not to be more seriously hurt. We think he was coming down the hill along the driveway, and was trying to hit the brakes, but hit the accelerator instead.

"Basically, his car lurched forward and he hit the bank. The bank was sloping down and was about 60ft.

"If the car had not hit the tree stump, he could have tumbled down. He's certainly very lucky -- it could have been much worse.'' Lt. Mullan said the middle-aged driver was shaken by his ordeal and had some injuries to his face, thought to have been caused by the steering wheel.

The Fire Brigade administered First Aid, before the ambulance arrived to take him to hospital.