AN air ambulance was launched to rescue a builder after a nail became lodged in his back during a freak accident.

The man, in his 50s, was repairing a staircase with colleagues in Billericay, when a nail gun accidentally went off and a six-inch nail embedded itself in his back.

Both air and land ambulances were called and he was rushed to hospital to have the nail removed and his wound stitched.

The drama broke out at Queens Park Tyres in Perry Street at 4pm on Monday, when contractors were carrying out repairs to the building.

An eyewitness, who works at the mechanics, said: “A nail gun went off and got him in the back. The nail went all the way in.”

Staff called the emergency services and an ambulance arrived, then called for back-up from the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance at 4.30pm.

A helicopter carrying a pilot, doctor and paramedic landed half-a-mile away in Lake Meadows, because it couldn’t find a suitable spot any closer.

The helicopter wasn’t needed because paramedics were able to take him to Basildon Hospital by road.

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “We were called to Perry Street to reports a man had been injured while at work.

“He had suffered traumatic injuries and was taken by land to hospital.”

The man has made a speedy recovery and returned to work the following day.

The eyewitness added: “He recovered well and is fine now.

“He discharged himself from hospital on the evening of the accident and was back in work the next morning as normal.”