Lorry Crashes Off A229, Causes Massive Overnight Recovery Operation
A lorry smashed off the A229 and landed on the grass verge at the Lord Lees Roundabout, near Walderslade, sparking a huge recovery effort overnight. The incident took place at the top of Blue Bell Hill.
Driver Fell Asleep at the Wheel, Authorities Say
Eyewitnesses say the Polish lorry driver dozed off while cruise control was engaged, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a ditch. The busy route was partially blocked during the early morning crash.
Firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene at around 8:45am. They used cutting tools to free the trapped driver from the cab.
Massive Recovery Effort to Retrieve Big Rig
The lorry didn’t get off lightly. Recovery teams brought in three heavy units with booms and winches to haul the tractor-trailer from a low-lying copse. The operation took hours as crews carefully decanted the white powder load — said to be a coffee-making ingredient — to prevent spills.
Kent County Council highways staff monitored the lengthy salvage effort on site.
Driver Escapes Serious Injury as Police Investigate Crash
Fortunately, police report the driver avoided serious harm. The collision is still under investigation as authorities piece together what happened that morning.
