Driver in narrow escape as truck sheds its load in third crash on same road in a month
A MOTORIST had a lucky escape in yet another accident involving a lorry on one of Hull's busiest roads.
Part of a mechanical digger, which was being carried on the truck, flew off and smashed into the side of a car, narrowly missing the driver.
The accident happened at a roundabout on the A1033 Hedon Road, which connects with the A63, just after 6pm yesterday.
Linking the M62 with the city's docks, the east Hull route has seen three crashes involving lorries in less than a month – including one that was fatal.
On this occasion, the driver of a dark blue Vauxhall Astra was waiting to turn left into Hedon Road at the roundabout with Southcoates Lane when the bucket of the digger was sent crashing into his car.
As first reported on the Mail's website, the truck shed its load as it was negotiating the roundabout, travelling east on Hedon Road.
The bucket wedged itself into the vehicle's side and pinned the driver's door shut. No one was hurt and police were quickly on the scene.
Officers temporarily shut Southcoates Lane to allow recovery of the car.
Adam Lonsdale, 18, was driving behind the lorry and said the outcome could have been much worse.
He said: "The bucket of the digger had flown across on to the car and trapped the driver's door.
"If it had landed a bit further back, it could have smashed through the windscreen or the driver's side window.
"I dread to think what could have happened."
The software programmer, of Hedon, has seen all three accidents on the road in recent weeks. He said: "All three have been on roundabouts – it's obvious something's wrong."
As the Mail reported last week, calls are being made to improve safety on the stretch of carriageway between Garrison Road and Saltend, which incorporates the new Hedon Road, east Hull.
It follows the recent accidents, which have closed carriageways in and out of Hull, causing gridlock.
The worst involved cyclist Susan Russell, 54, of east Hull, who was killed when a lorry carrying a container shed its load just over two miles further down the route on the A63 as she cycled to work on August 20.
A week later, a lorry laden with 26 tonnes of wood flipped in Hedon Road after reportedly being forced to brake sharply when cut up by a hatchback.
A Hull lorry driver who did not want to be named told the Mail how she drove past yesterday's accident seconds after it happened.
The 36-year-old said: "Being a lorry driver myself, I think the problem is the pressure to perform. It is making drivers sloppy with their loading."
She added: "But I do think the roundabouts in Hedon Road are really wide, you see vehicles speed round them.
"If your truck has not been loaded correctly, this is when it will tip off.
"But I have worked down Hedon Road for quite a number of years and I have seen quite a few accidents of this kind.
"If it was one or two you could put it down to driver error, but there are clearly a number of factors at play."
31 Comments
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by Glenroy, Hull
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:38PM
“winnie, east hull ,its the lorry drivers job to make sure the load he is carrying is sucured properly.if he had done his job correctly then this incident would not have occured.so the blame is his and his only.”
by winnie, east hull
Thursday, September 09 2010, 6:47PM
“The Fault cannot be just laid on the lorry drivers doorstep.
The fault is ALWAYS speed and people taking risks. FACT.
If they did random driving tests I guarantee at least 90% would fail with dangerous faults. Lets do it then and the ones that fail have to sit a re- test.
No then drive properly”
by matthew, hull
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:06AM
“To Lilly, east hull. What are you on about? I qoute "I say ONLY allow lorries on the roads between say 10pm and 7am, when roads are generally the most quietest! You can travel most of the country at that time! Thats one way of ensuring that drivers arent working more hours then they should! Im also sure it would cut down on deaths and near misses! " Is this when YOUR in bed and the roads are safer?. What about deliveries to local shops? You would be the first to complain if a Hgv was coming down your street at 2am delivering something to a local shop or house. The car driving test should involve some questions on Hgv driving as some car drivers do not understand That Hgvs can not swerve or stop like cars.”
by Trev, Work
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:01PM
“Oh and stop picking on Lilly, she talks a lot of sense. Only the narrow minded can't see it....”
by Trev, Work
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:59PM
“As far as I'm concerned the problem with our roads is old & women drivers.
Now you don't see many old or women HGV drivers do you.
My advise is stay at home, lock all your doors and windows, close your curtains, unhook the phone and don't answer the door to anyone. It's crazy out there.”