An aspiring actor took on a superhero role to rescue a young driver stranded in the fast lane of a motorway.

Francis Bethel was driving to work on the M2 yesterday when he noticed a lorry blocking the outer lane just before Junction 4, the turn-off for Gillingham and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre.

As he got closer he realised the lorry was trying to help a young man who had crashed his car.

The 33-year-old from Chatham said: "I slammed on the brakes and drove across the lanes to help.

"The guy was really shaken up, he was just standing there with his car, with people whizzing by him.

"He looked really young, I'd say about 18.

"He managed to smash the back of this car, I'm not sure how it happened."

Mr Bethel, who works as a warden at HM Prison Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey, got his badge out and started to stop and slow the traffic.

He said: "The driver of the lorry got in the boy's car and drove it onto the hard shoulder.

"Then I guided him over the road, making sure the cars were stopping.

"I was operating in complete shock mode, then I got in the car and drove to work.

"I feel bad really, I should have stayed with him until the police came, I just want to know if he's okay."

Police were on the scene after Mr Bethel left.

Spokesperson Sally Smith said: " Police were called to the M2, between junctions 3 and 4 of the coastbound carriageway at 7.32am on Saturday, December 22, following a report of a single car collision.

"No injuries were reported and the car was moved by 7.49am."

Mr Bethel added: "I try to do my best to help people as much as I can.

"I'm not really your typical prison warden because of my acting background, I actually started a drama club at the prison.

"It's really helped some of the tough guys show their softer side."

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You might recognise Mr Bethel, who is represented by Time to Shine Agency, as he features in a Barclays Bank Barclaycard advert alongside the Kaiser Chiefs.