English photographer films own car crash

A popular British photographer has inadvertently filmed his own car crash, dramatically bringing home the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

Ben Brown, 29, was driving with friends through Berlin on Saturday when the car he was travelling in was hit from the side by a blue van.

The moment of impact happened at an intersection, the van driver seemingly having failed to slow down.

Their car is sent spinning 180 degrees but immediately Brown's airbag near his head deploys, saving him from serious injury.

"Holy s—t," a visibly shocked Brown says as his car stops in the middle of the road.

"Are you guys alright? Is everyone OK?" says his friend Steve Booker, who was driving.

Their black sedan was left with a huge dent in the side.

No one was hurt in the incident but one of the members of Brown's party vowed he would "never go to Berlin again".

It is not known if the van driver is facing any charges.

Brown, a former kayaking world champion, is travelling the world as part of his "Mission Selfie" adventure tour.