A Colorado man is fighting for his life after he jumped out of his van to avoid being burned by a lit cigarette he had dropped on himself and was subsequently run over by his own vehicle.

He was backing the van out of his driveway when he dropped the cigarette down the front of his jacket, he panicked and jumped from the vehicle but as it kept rolling backward he fell to the ground and the left wheel of the van ran over his head, causing him life-threatening injuries.

Police have said alcohol was not a factor in the accident and added that the man is likely to survive.