PENSIONER Roy Baldwin was left fighting for his life in a serious road smash which also saw two elderly women injured.

The 78-year-old was rushed to Frenchay Hospital with potentially life- threatening injuries after the crash on the outskirts of Lydney.

Mr Baldwin is now out of danger and the hospital is describing his condition as stable.

Driver Doreen Huxford, 69, and her passenger Joan James, 70, were also rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance.

Both women were released after four nights in hospital, but Mrs James was taken back in after complaining of chest pains.

The women were on their way to play bingo in Blakeney in Mrs Huxford's white Ford Escort when the crash happened at the junction between the A48 and Highfield Hill.

Shocked friends, also on their way to the over-60s bingo session, spotted their mangled car at the busy junction and stopped to help.

Mrs Huxford, from Bream, managed to climb out of car with the help of paramedics.

But firefighters had to cut the roof off the Escort so they could reach Ms James who was taken to hospital with injuries that included a broken leg.

Mr Baldwin from Lydney also had to be cut free from his smashed silver Rover 414 before going to Frenchay.

Police, fire, ambulance and air ambulance attended the crash scene and the main road was closed for several hours.

Mrs Huxford said: "It was a real shock.

"One minute you're tootling along on your way to bingo with your friend, and the next, this happens.

"I don't think my friends could believe it was our car when they first saw it. We were both lying there moaning and groaning in pain but although I was shook up, I was able to get out.

"They had to cut the top off the car to get Joan out and she was taken away on a backboard.

"I've got a broken wrist, I'm covered in bruises and I feel like I've been turned inside out, but you've got to get on and make the best of it."