A binman has been credited with saving the life of a colleague after a car struck their dustcart in New Southgate.

The 45-year-old dustman, who has not been named, was trapped between the two vehicles. He was freed by firemen and taken to hospital with severe injuries to his lower leg.

A 34-year-old Polish man from Barnet was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and later released pending further enquiries.

The binman, whose life is not in danger but may require surgery on both legs, was loading and unloading bins at the back of the truck when he was hit, leaving him wedged between the red Vauxhall Vectra estate car and the Barnet Council dustcart.

The incident happened at around 9.30am on Tuesday at the junction of Oakleigh Road South and Coppies Grove.

A spokesman for the council said the dustman might have died had it not been for the actions of the colleague.

He said: "Ambulance staff told us the actions of the driver, who refused to move the vehicle until the emergency services arrived, helped stop his colleague from bleeding more severely and may have saved his life."

The victim, who was conscious throughout, was taken by ambulance to Northwick Park Hospital. He has since been moved to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead where doctors say no bones were broken.

The council spokesman said no blame was attached to the dustmen.

He added: "Senior council staff and health and safety officers attended the scene and have confirmed that the injured man was wearing a high-visibility jacket and was carrying out his duties in the normal way."

Firemen from Southgate, Finchley and Euston fire stations attended the scene. The road was closed until lunchtime.