Castle Street crash: Motorist held over assault and drink-driving allegations on Hull's A63

A MOTORIST has been arrested for assault and drink-driving following a crash on the A63, which caused traffic chaos.

A Ford Mondeo ended up facing the wrong way in Castle Street after crashing into a lamppost opposite the Holiday Inn at about 5am yesterday.

The exact circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and the accident are unclear, but Humberside Police arrested the 35-year-old driver at the scene.

The assault allegedly happened earlier that morning.

£10 off your First Session of Counselling or CBT (Hull)

A New Beginning Counselling Coaching & Hypnotherapy

View details

Print voucher

If you are feeling unhappy, confused, anxious or angry about your life, then a few sessions of counselling or CBT will help you gain clarity & direction. Confidential, Informal, Friendly.

Terms: New Clients Only - Please Mandi on (01482) 850550 or 07717210969 to book.

Contact: 01482 423349

Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013

A man travelling in the rear of the Mondeo was taken to hospital with chest injuries.

The driver was held in custody for questioning but had not been charged with any offence as the Mail went to press.

One lane of the eastbound carriageway of Castle Street was closed for several hours after the crash.

The lamppost was left bent over in a precarious position. After recovering the vehicle, the Highways Department had to call out an electrician to make the lamppost safe.

The lane had reopened at about 9.45am.

The accident caused traffic to queue from the Waterhouse Lane junction to the Princes Dock Street junction and right along to St Andrew's Quay during the morning's rush hour.

The knock-on effect left gridlock throughout the city centre, leaving commuters exasperated.

Drivers vented their anger on the Mail's website.

"SnothillBaz" wrote: "Sympathies to anyone hurt in this incident but it does raise the question about shutting roads or motorways because of accidents.

"We are the laughing stock of Europe when it comes to unnecessarily closing roads or motorways. On the Continent, any vehicles obstructing the motorways are dragged out of the way as soon as any casualties have been rescued.

"There is a much bigger priority about keeping the traffic moving, instead of taking hours to take photos and videos of the scene."

"Willo" was also angry with the chaos caused.

He said: "I was stuck in it for a hour. It was an utter shambles again.

"What was making it worse was traffic going off the slip road and back on the main road again. It was the same at the Smith & Nephew flyover."