Longham resident has lucky escape

An articulated lorry jack-knifed and collided with a house in Ringwood Road, Longham in the early hours of 5 August.

The lorry driver, a 64 year old Frenchman from Brittany was unconscious after the collision and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service officers had to cut him free from the wreckage. He was then taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.

Following the accident, the A348 was closed at the scene and road diversions were put in place at the Bear Cross roundabout and at the junction of the A348 with the B3073 Ham Lane. Road closures were lifted at 9.22am after fuel spillages were cleared.

A structural engineer from East Dorset District Council attended the scene to assess the damage before the lorry could be safely pulled from the house and recovered. The lorry was partially loaded with mixed goods on pallets and weighed just over 30 tonnes

Police Constable Shaun Ferguson, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “The lady householder was uninjured and had a very lucky escape. If her bed had been one foot either way the outcome for her would have been far more serious.”

Some witnesses have already come forward, but police would like to hear from anyone else who saw the collision, or who saw the manner of driving of the lorry before the collision. Call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.