A DRIVER was left trapped after his van careered off a moorland road and down a ravine.
The Mercedes van came off Manchester Road at Standedge close to the Carriage House pub above Marsden just before 2pm yesterday.
It plummeted about 15ft down the steep banking on to its side, leaving the driver pinned in the mangled wreckage by his feet.
Fire crews were called to the scene from Marsden, Slaithwaite and Huddersfield along with paramedics, police and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which landed nearby.
Watch manager Andy Farrell, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "It was a very complicated rescue and we needed heavy cutting gear.
"We had to peel the top of the van back to get to the driver who was in a very awkward position up against the windscreen.
"It was then an intricate task to free him."
The operation to cut him free took well over an hour. Watch Manager Paul Mellors, of Marsden fire station, added: "The weather conditions were poor with rain and cold, but all the emergency crews worked extremely well together.
"The driver was eventually taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary by road ambulance."
The man had suffered a serious foot injury.
