Man runs over his own head during freak accident involving a cigarette

Police warn public to heed 'dangers of distractions' when driving

File: A van in a motorcade in Boston, US (Getty Images)

A man has been left fighting for his life in hospital after a freak accident with a cigarette saw him run over his own head with his van.

The incident occurred at around 6.40am on Sunday morning in Aurora, Colorado, when the driver was reversing the vehicle out of a driveway.

Police told KUSA News that the man was lighting a cigarette while performing the manoeuvre – but then dropped it down the front of his jacket.

Fearing he would be burnt, the driver opened the door and jumped out. The vehicle continued to move backwards, knocking him over, and the front driver’s-side tyre rolled over his head.

The man was transported to a local hospital in Aurora, where police said he was in a critical condition but thought likely to survive. A member of the man’s family, who was sat in the front passenger seat at the time, was unharmed.

Officers said they did not suspect alcohol was involved in the incident, and as such did not anticipate that any charges would be filed. They spoke to remind people of “the dangers of distractions” when driving, and encouraged the public to limit any factors that took their attention away from the road.