A driver was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a crash left a car overturned on its roof on a rural lane near Ormskirk.

Police said units including the South Division Rural Task Force were sent to the incident after an emergency call was logged at 10:15pm. Officers arriving at the scene found the vehicle had rolled and come to rest in the middle of the country road, blocking the lane and leaving debris and damage consistent with what they expect was a heavy impact.

The driver was able to get out without apparent injury by climbing through a smashed window. A local resident was already at the scene and was looking after the driver before emergency services took over.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was requested to attend, with crews tasked with securing the vehicle and making it safe while arrangements were made for recovery. Police said that as the scene was secured, an officer dealt directly with the driver and carried out a roadside breath test.

Police reported the driver “blew 83” on the breathalyser. Officers believed the driver had consumed alcohol before driving and arrested them at the roadside as a result. After the arrest, the driver was taken to A&E for a precautionary medical check to confirm there were no injuries, before being taken into custody.

A police spokesperson described the incident as a near-miss given the severity of the rollover and the fact the driver was not seriously hurt.

“Our South Division Rural Task Force target crime impacting rural communities,” the police force posted to Facebook. “The team respond to rural jobs but are on hand to support regular colleagues if needed. Several of our specials are aligned to this team.

“SC Robyn was working alongside the team on Sunday night. At 22:15 hrs a call was received concerning a car on it’s roof near Ormskirk. SC Robyn and her regular colleague made to the scene to find a car that had ‘flipped’ and had come to rest in the middle of a country lane. The driver had managed to exit the vehicle unharmed through a smashed window and was being cared for by a local resident.

“SC Robyn arranged for Lancashire Fire and Rescue to make the vehicle safe and for it to be recovered, whilst her colleague dealt with the driver. The driver blew 83 and was arrested at scene, he was taken to custody via A&E to ensure he was uninjured.

“The photos speak for themselves. This driver had a very lucky escape. Please don’t get in the car after drinking, even if you feel like you’re not impaired.”