EMERGENCY services dashed to a Hampshire village after a man suffered injuries to his face and body when a car exploded and caught fire.

The incident occurred at Upper St Helen's Road in Hedge End just before 5pm yesterday and resulted in an air ambulance being called to the scene.

Police and firefighters also attended the emergency.

Posting on social media shortly after the incident one of the police officers involved said: "This was for a call regarding an injured person after a car explosion/fire.

"Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was called and landed in Albert Road cemetery.

"I believe it was an amazing member of the public who drove the air ambulance doctors to the scene.

"The injured person was checked over and the air ambulance was not needed, so I got the job to drive the doctors back to their helicopter.

"They flew off straight to their next job in Southsea.

"A family member of the injured person was very distressed in the seconds and minutes after this happened and was further distressed to see they were being filmed by a few young people.

"Please do not post any of this footage to social media, out of consideration to the family - as family members have not yet been notified.

"Please consider how insensitive and distressing it would be if you were filmed in these circumstances. We wish the injured person a speedy recovery."

A Hampshire police spokesman said the incident resulted in a man suffering injuries to his face and body.

He added: "Colleagues from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire, whilst paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service took the man to hospital for treatment."

The fire service was alerted at 4.47pm and sent a Wickham crew that was on standby at Hightown fire station.

A fire service spokesperson said the stop message came in at 5.56pm. 

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