A SOUTHAMPTON nurse rushed to save a man left fighting for life after a bizarre road accident in which he appeared to fall from the back of a fairground ride.

The woman had been driving with her husband and three children to a wedding reception when a 51-year-old man fell from a tea cup ride being towed by a Nissan Navara through the New Forest.

The incident has left the man fighting for his life but the hospital nurse did all she could to save him before emergency services arrived.

It is understood the nurse had been concerned before the incident because a large piece of tarpaulin had been flapping out the back of the vehicle, and just minutes later she saw a figure fall to the ground.

The nurse, who did not wish to be named, rushed to his side to perform CPR on the A35 across the New Forest.

One of her relatives said: “It's amazing what she has done it could have saved his life. She is not a very dramatic person I think she approached it like her work and just wanted to help but who knows what might have happened if she wasn't there.”

Police have since revealed that the man is from Kent and is in a life threatening condition at Southampton General Hospital after suffering a serious head injury.

The incident closed off the road between Station Road and the B3058 Holmsley Road.

Police officers are now focussing their enquiries on establishing how the man came to be there and what caused the accident.

Sergeant Adrienne Jerram said: “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the red Nissan Navara towing the ride as it travelled from Christchurch Quay, through Somerford and on the A35 towards Lyndhurst.

“We would like to know if anyone noticed anything unusual about the vehicle or its trailer.”

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance added: “We were called to the incident on the A35 just after 4pm and sent an ambulance crew and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

“The man was taken by land ambulance to Southampton General Hospital in critical condition.”

Police were also called to the scene just after 4pm to the A35 near Burley Hotel.

Paul Jenson, owner of the Old Station Holmsley Tea Rooms near where the accident happened, said: "The first I knew of something happening was the air ambulance arriving, it's horrible.

"I've heard that a few people rushed out to help a man and performed CPR before the emergency services arrived and there were a lot of police here investigating.

"I don't know how it happened at all but the road was closed off for four hours.”

Police say they would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information which could help their investigation by calling the serious collision investigation unit on 101, quoting Operation Classical or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555.