A LORRY driver was left dangling in the air after his vehicle crashed into an old oak tree in Blackheath.

Witnesses likened the drama to a farcical scene from the Italian Job after the seven-ton lorry collided with a roundabout and became wedged under a four-hundred-year-old tree in Beaconsfield Close.

Around fifteen firefighters were called to the scene at 1.53pm to rescue the trapped driver as the lorry was on its side and appeared to be leaking diesel on September 3.

It took crews just over an hour to free the man and lower the vehicle using winches. Two fire engines, one fire rescue van, an ambulance and police were also at the scene.

Ward councillor for Blackheath Westcome Cllr Alex Wilson witnessed the incident. He said: "We saw him driving around the roundabout and then heard a crunch. He tried to swing round a corner too quickly.

"He got himself wedged and there was diesel leaking.

"He was off two axles, on the side wheels.

"There’s been lots of chaos and momentum.

"It was Italian Job-esque."

The deputy leader of Greenwich Conservatives added that the tree was a "beautiful" Oak dating back to the 16th Century.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "The incident was over by 3 o’clock. One man was in shock and was released from the lorry and treated by the London Ambulance Service. We used winches to secure the vehicle."