A DRIVER was hauled from this lorry just moments before it exploded into flames.

His life was saved by the driver of a second lorry whose parked vehicle he had crashed into on the M5 in the early hours of yesterday.

Following the smash this lorry, carrying chocolate biscuits, burst into flames so intense it melted the surface of the motorway.

Four lanes between junctions seven, Worcester south, and eight, the M50, had to be closed in both directions for nearly 12 hours for

resurfacing and repairs which caused chaos for commuters driving through Worcester.

At about 1.30am the lorry carrying chocolate biscuits and travelling south crashed into the back of a stationary lorry parked on the hard shoulder of the M5 just north of Strensham Services.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The driver of the lorry that was hit was extremely brave.

"He realised what was happening and ran down the motorway to where the vehicles were.

"When he got there he literally dragged the driver out of the burning lorry and pulled him to safety some 15 to 20 metres away before it exploded.

"The driver was very lucky and the other man should get a lot of credit for what he did."

The identity of the two men involved has not been revealed but the rescued driver was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance and was believed to be suffering from minor injuries.

The fire, caused by a fractured fuel tank in the chocolate biscuit lorry, was tackled from both sides of the motorway by more than 30 firefighters from across Worcestershire.

Three rescue fire engines from Worcester went to the scene as well as pumps from Evesham, Droitwich, Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "Chocolate was all over the road but it was the fire that caused all the damage."

She explained the carriageway affected would have to be resurfaced and repairs to the central reservation would also have to be made.