TWO quick-thinking passers-by stepped into help direct rush hour traffic after a road accident in which a car caught fire at Woodley this morning.

They are Matt Jones and Sam Liscoe who stepped in and helped manage traffic at the scene before the emergency services arrived.

Two cars, a Volkswagen Scirocco and a BMW were involved in the collision which happened on the A3090, between the junction of Campion Drive and School Road, just after 7.45am. One of the cars burst into flames and was badly damaged.

Both Good Samaritans were on their way to work when they were caught up in the accident.

Nightingale Lodge employee, Sam, who lives at Eastleigh explained the urgent need to act as traffic built-up on the A3090.

The 18-year-old said: “We were coming from Romsey and saw the flames and I've been helping the traffic because there was no one here.”

Vehicle body repairer Matt, 21, who lives in Mountbatten Avenue, Romsey, said: “I was on the other side and saw the car catch fire so I came round the other side to help out. It's got to be done.”

A Campion Drive resident, who asked not to be named, claimed it took the police 50 minutes to reach the accident

However, a police spokesman said:"We were called at 7.59am by the ambulance service. Around one minute later the fire service was there and we were already on our way but the fire service said we were not required and we were stood down.”

Police returned to the scene later to help with traffic management.

Romsey firefighters put the car blaze out and recovery crews arrived at about 8.30am to remove the wreckage.

No one is reported to have been injured in the accident.