A driver had to be cut from his car with suspected head and neck injuries after a wave struck it on Douglas Promenade on Saturday lunchtime.

The section between Broadway and the Sea Terminal was shut around midday with the strong winds and a high tide causing overtopping onto the prom walkway which is currently being used for southbound traffic.

However, a car was struck by a wave and firefighters were required to push the car to safety before its occupant could be cut free of his vehicle and treated by the ambulance service.

Tony Duncan of the fire service said: ’A male driver had suffered head and suspected neck injuries when his vehicle had been hit by large waves overtopping the walkway.

’Upon arrival it was found that the pumping appliance would not be able to give adequate protection to the stranded vehicle from rapidly worsening conditions.

’A decision was made for firefighters to move the vehicle to a place of safety so that paramedics could assess the patient.

’Hydraulic cutting equipment was used to extricate the driver and he was then transferred to hospital for further treatment.’

The walkway was reopened again at 5pm, but was shut on Sunday for a similar amount of time with waves over-topping onto the walkway once more.