A MAN accidentally ran himself over in St James earlier today after jumping from a car he was allegedly trying to steal.

Shane Taylor found the injured man slumped on a chair in his front yard, bleeding and pleading for help.

"He had, like, the knuckle on his ankle missing, and his chest was all caved." he said.

"Yeah, don't let me die, yeah he was saying that."

Camera Icon Police inspect the car the man was allegedly trying to steal.

Police say the man accidentally ran himself over with a Holden Commodore which he tried to steal from nearby Ellam Street at about noon.

The owner of the car told Seven News he had parked up to have a look at items left out for a verge collection and was just metres from his car when the alleged thief jumped in the driver's seat.

The man said the alleged thief panicked when he tried to grab him through the driver's window and jumped out through the passenger door while the car was still moving.

Camera Icon Shane Taylor found the injured man slumped and bleeding on a chair outside his house.

He managed to run a short distance before reaching Mr Taylor’s Norman Street property.

Tonight the man in his forties is hospital with serious leg injuries.

No charges have been laid.