Road traffic collision

Crews from Chulmleigh, South Molton and Torrington, together with a Heavy Rescue Vehicle from Middlemoor (Exeter), were mobilised to a country lane at Week nr High Bickington following a call from the Police, requesting our attendance to an articulated lorry that had overturned, trapping the driver within the cab. 

On arrival of the first crews they set to work stabilising the vehicle and assessing the driver to formulate a plan to extricate him. The 44 tonne lorry, carrying wood chips, had left the carriageway and come to rest on its side in a stream. Crews worked in sectors to extricate the driver and make the scene safe. Crews used specialist equipment to stabilise the vehicle, remove the windscreen and protect the area so the casualty could be safely removed through the windscreen. Further crews used environmental equipment to dam the wood chippings and prevent them from floating down stream, as well as protecting the water course. 

Whilst the incident was under control at 0935hrs, we remained in attendance until the arrival of the Environment Agency to assess the water course and surrounding area. The incident was left in the hands of the Police carrying out traffic duties, awaiting the arrival of a recovery vehicle. This incident is now complete and once released the driver of the vehicle was assessed by paramedics, but did not need to be conveyed to hospital.