An Ottawa man who rescued his boss after a bizarre traffic accident says he drew on his experience in the Canadian Forces as a heavy equipment operator.

Randy Williams says compared to some operations he assisted with in Bosnia, Wednesday's rescue was "calm and simple."

Eckhart Schmitz, owner of Artistic Landscape Designs on Bank Place near Johnston Road, was standing near the entrance to the business with employees Roka Hyng and Kyle Carter when a car accelerating backwards up the laneway to the building struck them.

The compact car, driven by a 70-year-old man, backed up suddenly, hit another vehicle, bounced off a lamppost and crashed into the men.

Schmitz was knocked face first to the ground and trapped under the car while the other two were thrown into nearby bushes.

Williams ran to the business garage and returned with a jack, which he used to gradually lift the weight of the car from his boss's back.

"I just thought, 'I've got to get that car off him before it crushes him to death,' " Williams told the Ottawa Citizen. "His face was purple, his breathing was laboured, and I couldn't get an answer from him."

Paramedics say Williams's swift response likely saved Schmitz's life and doctors say he will recover without any permanent injury.

Hyng and Carter injured their backs and suffered scrapes. They were treated in hospital and released.