A bridge too far for tractor (From Hereford Times)

A bridge too far for tractor

1:14pm Thursday 7th September 2006 in

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A FARMER had a lucky escape when a tractor crashed through a bridge near Ross-on-Wye.

The tractor would have fallen into water below the bridge at Marstow were it not for its bowser.

Dr Noel Meeke, who called the emergency services following last Friday's accident, said the tractor was left balancing above Garron Brook.

"It was quite a colossal accident and was a very dicey situation indeed," he said. "The bowser finished down in the water with the tractor on its side above."

Dr Meeke said other motorists pulled the farmer from the tractor and gave him first aid on the roadside. He was taken to Hereford County Hospital, but was discharged later that day.

All three emergency services were joined on the A4137 last Friday afternoon by an environmental pollution unit.

They placed a boom across the brook to prevent milk from the bowser travelling less than two miles downstream to the River Wye.

Police spokesperson Neil Tipton said the tractor also brought down a telegraph pole in the accident. He said this created further problems and a white Peugoet Boxer van hit the pole.

Mr Tipton confirmed the driver of the van was not hurt.

The A4137 was re-opened three hours after the initial accident.