Driver rescued after A49 crash

11:59pm Wednesday 28th February 2007

A LORRY driver was rescued from his overturned vehicle after it jackknifed on the A49 on Monday at around 5.55am.

Three crews of firefighters from Hereford were joined at Lyde by a specialist team from Droitwich, Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) and an ambulance crew.

The lorry, which contained chicken feed, came to rest in the gardens of properties next to the road - just feet away from a shed containing hens.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service, said the HGV travelled 150 yards after leaving the road before crashing into a wooded area.

"We had to cut away trees to get access," he said. "The driver was on his own, upside down, trapped by his legs and was facing the wrong way round in his cab.

"Together with Dr Malcolm Russell, from MARS, we got him out and it was a good combined effort from all."

Dr Russell said the rescue to release the patient, who is thought to be in his mid-30s, was extremely difficult and took an hour-and-a-half to complete.

"The fire service did an excellent job, because it was more like a confined space rescue and the ambulance crew climbed inside to give him painkillers," he said.

Emergency lights allowed traffic to pass in single file and the road was closed later that day when a lorry was dispatched to recover the load. The driver was taken to Hereford County Hospital.