A PRO boxer and two friends sprinted across six lanes of the M65 to rescue the driver of a car after it flipped over into an embankment.

The drama began as fighter Shayne Singleton, 22, was travelling on the motorway on his way home to Colne after gym training in Bolton with amateur fighters Lloyd Baldwin, 20, and Joe Knight, 20 at 8pm on Wednesday.

The trio pulled the 33-year-old trapped motorist free from his car as they feared his car ‘could explode at any minute’.

Their bravery has been praised by Lancashire’s chief fire officer Peter Holland who said their actions had ‘potentially saved the driver’s life’.

Shayne, who was at the wheel of his Renault Clio, noticed ‘an explosion of smoke’ on the opposite westbound carriageway, between junctions 11 and 12 near Burnley.

He said: “We saw the Corsa roll over, debris and dust was everywhere and it came to rest upside down on the embankment.

“I knew we had to do something because it looked very serious.”

After pulling on to the hard shoulder, the trio, led by light welterweight Shayne, made their way across two carriageways to help.

“We got there as fast as we could and I was the first to reach the car,” said Shayne.

“The car was badly damaged, completely overturned and all we could think of was that it might explode at any second.

“While Lloyd phoned for an ambulance I knelt down and saw a man inside, he was suspended upside down by his seatbelt and seemed dazed.

“I asked him if he was injured and whether there was anyone else in the car, he told me he was alone.

“We all thought that the best thing would be to get him out of the car so while supporting his weight I unclipped the belt.

“The window was smashed and the roof had compressed but we managed to drag him through. How we got him through such a small gap I’ll never know.”

Within minutes paramedics, police and the fire service took control of the scene, between junctions 11 and 12 of the M65.

Shayne said officers thanked the lads for their efforts before escorting them back to their car across the carriageway again.

“We were just so relieved to get him clear and although they put him in a neck brace and used a backboard he didn’t seem seriously injured.”

Police said that the 33-year-old Corsa driver was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital and was later released after treatment for minor injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Lancashire’s chief fire officer Mr Holland hailed the ‘brave and unselfish’ actions of Shayne, Lloyd and Joe and described their actions as ‘potentially life saving’.

He added: “I applaud the bravery of these lads. They acted correctly in that their first action was to dial 999 so that emergency services could respond as fast as possible.

“However, we cannot encourage people to rescue people in similar situations as a matter of course. It is best to wait for the appropriate professionals to arrive.”

Shayne, who is known as ‘The Pain’, has won all 11 of his pro bouts. He is currently in training at Elite Boxing Club in Bolton for his next fight at Oldham Leisure Centre on May 18.