THE driver and passenger of a car had to be rescued by the fire service after their vehicle left the M40 and smashed into a hedgerow.

The grey Vauxhall left the motorway between junction six and junction seven shortly before 4pm on Friday and slid down an embankment on its side.

Fire engines from Thame, as well as High Wycombe and Amersham in Buckinghamshire, were sent to the scene and worked with paramedics to free the occupants.

Passing soldiers stopped to help the pair before the emergency services arrived.

Incident commander Watch Manager Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station said crews had to stabilise the vehicle to prevent it moving and then cut the doors off, as well as removing the centre post from the side of the car.

The driver and passenger were then released and taken to hospital for checks.

He added: "The incident could have resulted in even more damage had the vehicle hit others and of course the injuries could have been a lot worse had they not been wearing their seatbelts.

There have been a number of recent accidents in the current temporary road works in place on this section of the M40 and I would urge drivers to stay alert, reduce their speed on approach and take extra care by following the two second rule in an attempt to maintain a suitable gap between you and vehicle in front, thus helping prevent possible further collisions."