A man involved in a crash on the A36 last week said his family "would have been killed" if it weren't for his "quick thinking".

Peter Tschich, from Salisbury, and his father-in-law, Donald Lee, were hospitalised on Thursday night (January 26) after a three-car crash near Windwhistle Lane.

85-year-old Donald's automatic car broke down on the side of the road at 12.30pm and he did not have any break-down cover.

Peter claims that Donald called RAC and paid more than £200 to join after being told someone would be sent out "in 20 minutes".

Read more: A36: Two men hospitalised following 3-car crash at Windwhisle Lane

He waited in the car until Peter, 67, arrived in his Volkswagen Transporter van later on in the afternoon.

At around 5.30pm a car crashed into the back of Peter's van and a call was made to the police at 5.42pm.

Salisbury Journal: Inside Peter Tschich's van.Inside Peter Tschich's van. (Image: Peter Tschich)

Both Peter and Donald were inside the car at the time of the crash because Donald was "getting cold".

Peter's mother-in-law Marion Lee and sister-in-law Hannah Baker were also travelling in the car but got picked up before the crash.

See more: ​Drivers warned for parking illegally outside Salisbury primary schools

Peter told the Journal his "vulnerable" family would have been "wiped out" if he hadn't parked his van behind them.

He said: "If it wasn't for my quick thinking they would have still been there. 

"They would have been killed, their car wouldn't have taken the impact."

The van was recovered and taken to Ashley Wood Recovery, on Whittle Road.

Salisbury Journal: Peter's van was recovered on the scene.Peter's van was recovered on the scene. (Image: Peter Tschich)

Donald was "in shock" following the incident but the pair were discharged from the hospital without any serious injuries.

Peter explained how an off-duty doctor, who was driving home from work, came to their aid following the crash and stayed with them until the ambulances arrived.

Read also: ​Durrington drug-driver stopped, car found to be unsafed

An RAC spokesperson said: “The breakdown phone line Donald rang gave advice for him to call 999 if he felt in danger, and we sent him further safety advice that included guidance on where to wait.

“We did everything we could to get to Donald quickly and we’re sorry we weren’t able to attend sooner. We have apologised to Donald and refunded him in full.”

The road was closed in both directions between the A27 in Whiteparish and the A338 in Salisbury for just over an hour.