It can happen to anyone – driving along, you suddenly realise your car has a flat tyre.

But one visitor to Ipswich who had just this problem to deal with – in a rented car, no less – has praised the friendly locals who stopped to help him out.

Hollywood actor Adam Sandler said in a radio interview recently he was driving out of Ipswich (in England, not the Massachusetts, South Dakota or Wisconsin versions) when he realised his vehicle had a flat.

And much to his surprise the comedian, who has appeared in films such as Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, said several people stopped to lend him a hand.

“I pulled over to the side of the road and we were about to call the car company but then just a minute or two later there were two, maybe three cars that pulled over behind us and offered to put the spare on,” he said.

“So I let them. I mean, I was just so impressed that people could be that friendly to pull over so quickly and offer to help a complete stranger.

“You have to understand that this is something that would’ve never happened in LA.”

He also said the helpful strangers did not know who he was before stopping to give him a hand, adding: “It’s nice to know that there are still places like this in the world.”

Were you one of the drivers who pulled over to give Sandler a hand?