Driver ‘breaks leg’ and has to be cut free after lorry crashes into West Midlands pub

The HGV collided with the Three Fishes pub and a building next to Hong Kong City takeaway next door on the A49 at Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury. Huge chunks of brickwork have been torn through and large holes in the buildings left behind. The casualty was cut out of the lorry by firefighters, while Three Fishes bosses have confirmed it will be closed for the "foreseeable future".

No-one in the pub was hurt. National Highways West Widlands[1] posted on X just before 6.30am today saying traffic was being held on the A49 southbound between the A5 and A5112 at Dobbies Island. Shropshire Council posted just after midday that the road is expected to remain closed into the afternoon. 

On X, the council said its highways and structural engineer teams were also supporting the response.  Pictures taken by the Shropshire Star [2]show the devastation left behind

The lorry collided with the Three Fishes pub in ShrewsburyThe lorry collided with the Three Fishes pub in Shrewsbury

In a post on Facebook, Three Fishes bosses said: "So as you're already aware a catastrophic accident has happened at the Three Fishes this morning. It has caused severe structural damage to the premises.

However everyone is ok. The pub will be closed for the foreseeable future. Will post again in the coming week but trying to process everything right now."

The lorry belongs to Chilton Bulk Transport based in Abertillery, South Wales. Boss Steven Chilton told the Shropshire Star[3] the driver broke his leg in the collision and the lorry was carrying a load of glass from South Wales to North Wales. "The last I heard was that he'd broken his leg.

I'm waiting for an update from the hospital," he said.  "This is the first time we've had anything like this happen so it's a bit of a shock to the system. "I don't think this driver has ever had an accident working for us.

He's been with us five years, possibly going on 10." The firm has been running for around 15 years. Asked how much the collision is likely to cost the company, Mr Chilton said: "I don't want to think about that, it'll just make me ill."

The fire service, police and paramedics have been called to the scene. 

The lorry collided with the Three Fishes pub in ShrewsburyThe lorry collided with the Three Fishes pub in Shrewsbury

The post by National Highways West Widlands[4] on X said: " Traffic is held on the #A49[5] southbound between #A5[6] #A5112[7] (at Dobbies Island near #BaystonHill[8] #Shrewsbury[9] (south) and #B4371[10].  "A lorry has left the carriageway and hit a building.  "@OPUHereford[11] & @HWFireControl[12] are in attendance.

Updates to follow."

The scene of the crash in ShrewsburyThe scene of the crash in Shrewsbury

A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "At 5.29am on Monday, November 11, SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting that a road traffic collision had taken place in Shrewsbury. "One lorry in collision with two buildings. One casualty released from vehicle by fire service personnel using cutting equipment.

A49 is currently blocked at Bayston Hill by attending emergency service vehicles. Road users should seek alternative routes until further notice." Three fire engines including the rescue tender were sent to the scene from Shrewsbury and Wellington.

An operations officer was also in attendance. Crews used cutters, spreaders, small gear and ladders to deal with the incident. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a lorry that had crashed into a building on Hereford Road, Shrewsbury at 5.27am. 

"We sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care car from Cosford to the scene.

On arrival crews found a man, who was the driver of the lorry, who they treated for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further treatment." 

References

  1. ^ National Highways West Widlands (nationalhighways.co.uk)
  2. ^ Shropshire Star  (plus.shropshirestar.com)
  3. ^ Shropshire Star (plus.shropshirestar.com)
  4. ^ National Highways West Widlands (nationalhighways.co.uk)
  5. ^ #A49 (x.com)
  6. ^ #A5 (x.com)
  7. ^ #A5112 (x.com)
  8. ^ #BaystonHill (x.com)
  9. ^ #Shrewsbury (x.com)
  10. ^ #B4371 (x.com)
  11. ^ @OPUHereford (x.com)
  12. ^ @HWFireControl (x.com)