The spiky critter had waddled across the intersection of the Princes Highway and Farmborough Road just after midday and had sought refuge in between a car’s tyre and brake calibre.

Unanderra Fire Station captain Paul Dawson said the people behind the vehicle, one of whom was a Rural Fire Service volunteer, had warned the driver and attempted to remove the echidna themselves.

Unsuccessful, they then contacted Fire and Rescue.

‘‘It was the first time I’ve rescued an echidna,’’ Mr Dawson said.

‘‘We took the wheel off, we put the car up, removed the tyre and there he was sitting between the tyre and brake calliper.’’

‘‘I’d like to thank people around there for their help - they were doing traffic control for us.’’

WIRES volunteers then attended, and the echidna was released safely into nearby bushland.

‘‘They were going to release him back to where he came from - they’re very territorial and don’t like to be moved around,’’ Mr Dawson said.