Motorist left shocked after lorry topples over ‘right beside’ him

A waste carrier toppled over on the southern side of the Rushington Roundabout at Totton - just yards from the spot where other commercial vehicles have also overturned. As reported in the Daily Echo, Cllr David Harrison has repeatedly called for safety improvements to the roundabout. He was approaching the junction on Sunday when a lorry on the opposite carriageway landed on its side on the central reservation.

All the other incidents are thought to have involved lorries toppling over on the northern side of the roundabout. Cllr David Harrison was approaching the Rushington Roundabout when the crash happened on the opposite carriageway (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Harrison, who was in the inside lane of the northbound carriageway, said he was shocked to find himself next to an overturning vehicle.

"I was approaching the roundabout from the Marchwood direction when a lorry coming in the opposite direction tipped right over, crushing the central reservation barriers. "This is the first time I have seen a lorry tip over on this side of the roundabout. "I stopped my car and rushed out to see if I could help.

Other motorists assisted and the driver was helped out of the cab." READ MORE: Highway bosses under fire after removing safety barriers where several lorries have overturned[1] The roundabout, at the junction of the A35 and the A326, has seen a spate of accidents involving HGVs in the past few years.

Cllr David Harrison was approaching the Rushington Roundabout when the crash happened on the opposite carriageway (Image: Newsquest) Hampshire County Council has improved the road camber, installed a higher kerb, and moved a neighbouring footpath further back from the road. But Cllr Harrison had called for further work to be carried out just days before the latest crash.

He said some pedestrians were refusing to use the path following the removal of safety railings around the edge of the roundabout. READ MORE: Pedestrian 'refusing to use' Rushington Roundabout following the removal of safety railings between road and pavement[2] The Totton South councillor wants the railings to be replaced by a hedge, saying it could make people using the footway feel more secure.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's really frustrating that we've had a lorry tip over after all that work that was carried out. I'm a bit surprised that it tipped over on the opposite side of the roundabout. "I think it demonstrates the need to negotiate the roundabout slowly.

It was very fortunate that nobody was seriously hurt." Several other lorries have overturned on the Rushington Roundabout in the past few years (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Harrison said the lorry involved was a high-sided Veolia vehicle that was carrying green waste.

The vehicle had just left the roundabout and was travelling south on the A326 when it toppled over. The road closed while the lorry was recovered. Police say the driver - a man in his 20s - suffered only minor injuries.

No further details have been released. A county council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the recent incident at Rushington roundabout involving an HGV vehicle. "This is the first reported incident of this nature to take place at this specific location on the roundabout. 

"We will be working with the police and using the findings of their report to determine whether any additional safety measures may be needed."

References

1. ^ Highway bosses under fire after removing safety barriers where several lorries have overturned (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Pedestrian 'refusing to use' Rushington Roundabout following the removal of safety railings between road and pavement (www.dailyecho.co.uk)