A mechanic's leg was almost cut off when the 2.5 tonne car he was working under slipped and crushed him.

David Wakely, 23, was in agony after the car's disc brake sliced through his upper leg and severed an artery.

Despite his desperate pleas, his first aid trained dad Neil left the car on top of him to stop him bleeding to death.

The 46-year-old said: “It was terrible, it was the hardest thing I've had to do but I knew it was the right decision.

“He was begging me to get the car off but the disc brake was the only thing stopping the bleeding.

“We waited it out until the emergency services arrived and they put a tourniquet on him.”

Mr Wakely was working on his dad's car yesterday (SUN) morning in the street outside their home in Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

Shortly after 10am, the people carrier slipped forward off of its jack and onto the trained mechanic's leg.

Speaking to The Argus shortly after the accident, his dad said: “He was in a lot of pain.

“I was just trying to keep everyone calm but I knew I couldn't lift it off his leg. He could have quite easily bled out.”

With the emergency services on the way, he grabbed another jack and lifted the car slightly to ease the pressure and stop the disc slicing through the bone.

But he knew he had to leave the metal disc in his son's leg to stop the bleeding.

Within 15 minutes firefighters from Preston Circus station were on scene and using their hydraulic spreaders to lift the car.

A spokesman for the service said: “It was a nasty and very deep wound.

“The paramedics had stabilised him and we just helped get the car out the way.

“He didn't say a word, he was in complete shock.”

After attaching a tourniquet, the ambulance service took him to Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital where he was rushed into surgery.

Doctors managed to save his leg and last night he was recovering in hospital.

Mr Wakely added: “I think the first aid course I did was a great help. I encourage my boys to learn first aid and I think the courses should be compulsory really.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue last night issued a warning to others attempting similar work.

A spokesman said: “This was a completely avoidable injury.

“Anyone carrying out this kind of work should not only use axel stands but also chock the wheels.

“If something does go wrong then these simple steps can prevent horrific injuries.”