Lorry crashes after skidding on ice and hitting New Elgin home
A male driver has been taken to hospital after a lorry crashed into a house in New Elgin after skidding on ice.
Rescue teams were scrambled to Convener Street at around 11.30am this morning following reports of a serious crash.
The lorry hit a car further up the street, then glanced off a wall on the other side of the road before continuing down the hill.
It is understood the driver then regained control briefly before hitting a home and coming to a halt.
Significant damage was caused to the front of the Convener Street home. Image: Jasperimage
The front of the lorry appears to have suffered a significant impact with the area near the front door of the house. The home was empty at the time of the incident.
Paramedics assessed the driver at the scene before taking him to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin for further treatment. His condition is unknown
In a statement, an ambulance spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 11.26am to attend an incident on Convener Street, New Elgin. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and one patient was transported to Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.”
The incident came amidst a day of chaos on the roads and pavements across the region. Moray Council has told the Press and Journal it gritted routes throughout the day according to its priority list.
Ironically, a gritter arrived to treat Convener Street minutes after the crash with the driver having to weave his way around the emergency vehicles at the scene.
‘Lorry skidded on icy Elgin road’
Pictures taken at the scene show the aftermath of the Elgin crash, involving several cars a lorry and a house.
Residents report the lorry initially hit the back of a parked white Vauxhall on the road, causing significant damage to the rear and pushing it several feet downhill.
It then glanced off a wall belonging to Convener Street resident Bob Millar.
He said: “I was upstairs having a wash at the time and then I heard all this banging. I came down to have a look and saw the white car had been damaged and pushed about 3ft or 4ft.
A car parked on the street suffered damage to its rear as a result of the crash. Image: David Mackay/ DC Thomson.
“It’s the third accident there has been on this street this morning because of the ice.”
Another resident revealed his house had been hit earlier in the day by a different van.
He said: “I was inside and heard the noise. I came out and saw the damage. The van wasn’t too badly damaged, it was able to drive off.
“The road is incredibly icy. People use this road as a short-cut too.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Around 11.30am today, police were called to a report of a crash involving a lorry and parked vehicles on Convener Street, Elgin.
The lorry also hit a silver car as it came to rest. Image: Jasperimage
“Emergency services attended and the male driver was taken to hospital for treatment. Recovery has been arranged.”
Masonry crews were called to the scene once emergency services had made the area safe.
Part of the front of the house has been taken down while the front door appears to have buckled.
Personnel were seen using grinders and crowbars in an attempt to open the door.
Icy road concerns in Elgin
Roads and pavements surrounding Convener Street have been treacherous today due to ice.
Freezing temperatures over the weekend have combined with overnight rain[1] to make it almost impossible to walk on.
Similar conditions have been reported across the rest of Elgin and Moray.
A gritter arrived moments after the crash to treat Convener Street. Image: David Mackay/ DC Thomson.
The opening of Lhanbryde Primary School was delayed this morning[2] due to the road conditions with recycling centres in Buckie and Spey Bay also opening late due to the ice.
Moray Council has stressed it was monitoring the weather conditions overnight and responded according to its priority list.
A spokeswoman said: “We need to have a prioritised treatment plan given it’s not possible to treat all locations at the same time. We do that via our winter maintenance plan and priority routes for gritting.
“The Met Office confirmed the weather overnight was a unique event and our team were monitoring the situation to inform our response, which was to deploy the gritting team following the priority routes.”
In pictures: Scene of Convener Street lorry crash
An orange gritter makes its way through the emergency services. Image: Jasperimage
It is understood the driver had to be pulled from the building for the driver to be freed. Image: Jasperimage
Significant damage was caused to the front of the lorry. Image: David Mackay/DC Thomson
Fire appliances have blocked Convener Street as they work at the scene. Image: David Mackay/ DC Thomson.
Masonry crews working at the scene after emergency services left. Image: David Mackay/DC Thomson
References
- ^ Freezing temperatures over the weekend have combined with overnight rain (www.pressandjournal.co.uk)
- ^ The opening of Lhanbryde Primary School was delayed this morning (secure.moray.gov.uk)