Lorry hits tree and telegraph pole on major A-road

This was the scene after a lorry collided with a tree and telegraph pole. The incident occurred on the A35 at Raymonds Hill, just over the border in Devon, which was closed on Monday morning following the crash, Fire and Rescue crews from Devon and Somerset were dispatched to the scene at 7.05am after receiving reports of a vehicle ablaze post-crash.

However, upon arrival, teams from Axminster and Charmouth discovered that the vehicle was not on fire but had instead crashed into a telegraph pole and a tree. Images captured at the scene reveal significant damage to the vehicle, which appears to be a lorry. The telegraph pole has been entirely knocked over, and the vehicle has crashed nose-first into a tree.

Axminster Fire Station, in a Facebook post, revealed that the driver had managed to exit the vehicle and received first aid from paramedics at a nearby property. Crews then began to secure the vehicle by disconnecting the battery and alerted British Telecoms about a "completely broken" telegraph pole. The A35 was closed for some time while recovery efforts were underway.

Traffic monitor Inrix reports that the road is closed eastbound, with traffic building up in the area: "A35 Charmouth Road Eastbound closed, queueing traffic due to accident from B3165 Crewkerne Road to Green Lane.", reports Devon Live [3]. Axminster Fire Station reported: "Whilst this was ongoing crews had set up traffic management to keep 1 Lane of the A35 open. After the Police had arrived and took over traffic management duties our crew completed a handover form and left the scene with the Police who had requested highways and recovery of the vehicle."

"We expect there to be delays on the A35 for a duration of the day and we thank you all for your patience whilst we dealt with this incident." A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the lorry driver involved in the crash suffered minor injuries, stating: "Police were called at 6.50am today, 8 July, following a single vehicle collision on the A35 Raymonds Hill. A lorry was in collision with a telephone pole."

"Ambulance and the fire service attended. The male driver sustained minor injuries. The road was partially open but has now been closed fully between Charmouth roundabout to The Hunters Lodge Inn on Raymonds Hill while the vehicle is recovered.

BT is on scene to repair the damaged telephone pole."

References

^ Lidl pulls plans for new supermarket (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
^ Developer takes legal action over delays to new housing development (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
^ Devon Live (www.devonlive.com)