A LORRY driver was catapulted through the windscreen of his vehicle - landing around 10 feet in front of it - in a smash on a busy Worcester road.

A witness described seeing the victim "flying through the air" after his vehicle was in collision with a 38-ton lorry.

He was treated by a flying doctor and taken to Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital after the crash on the Bransford Road at around 12.40pm yesterday.

Traffic was diverted for five hours until the A4103 Worcester to Hereford road re-opened at 5pm.

The injured man was driving a seven-and-a-half ton dropside lorry carrying files and paperwork. His vehicle was in collision with an empty lorry from Taylors of Martley.

Roadside snack bar owner Ann Hoskins had just arrived for work when she heard a bang.

She said she saw the victim, who police believe was not wearing a seatbelt, go "smashing" through the front windscreen of his lorry.

"I saw the man go through the windscreen flying in the air," she said.

"I just didn't think about what I was seeing at the time but then I felt very shocked."

Mr Hoskins said her husband, Brian, rang for an ambulance.

"I rang straight away but I didn't go over to him because there were so many people there," said Mr Hoskins.

"I'm OK about what I saw now because I've been told by a policeman that the man has been talking and is all right," added Mrs Hoskins.

The accident happened near the Fox Inn at Bransford.

"The bloke in the smaller lorry landed around 10 feet in front of his vehicle," said Sgt Alastair Short, of the Operational Response Unit, Pershore. "It's unlikely he was wearing a seatbelt."

There was extensive front damage to his vehicle and the front axle was taken off, said the officer.

"Damage was done to the Taylors of Martley trailer and three front tyres burst," he said.

The driver of the Taylors of Martley lorry escaped unhurt.

Two fire engines from Worcester attended the accident.

"The fire brigade made sure the vehicles were safe. They made sure there was no leakage and not risk of fire," said a spokeswoman.

Police today said the victim's injuries were "not believed to be life threatening".

Anyone who has information on the incident should contact them on 01905 543798.