Chaos as lorry flips, closing the busy A27

The aftermath of the incident which closed part of the A27 in Poling for almost six hours PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell

The vehicle was travelling along the westbound carriageway of the A27, through Poling, when it lost control and flipped over, at about 6.35pm, closing the road for nearly six hours.

Cement, diesel and other debris was scattered across the highway when police and fire crews from across the area, along with paramedics, reached the scene.

Miraculously, the driver was uninjured.

Katie Wheatley, of Maltravers Road, Arundel, was travelling down the road, with her friend Caroline Gawley, on her way home when they encountered the jack-knifed lorry.

Brighton University student Katie, 23, said: “We were heading home for the night when we saw the aftermath of the crash. We were really shocked to see what state the lorry was in.

“It was flipped over on its side and was taking up both lanes.

“We couldn’t see much at first, just the bottom of the lorry, but as we got closer we could see that there was dust and debris all over the road and it looked like parts of the lorry had been ripped off.”

She added: “It was a miracle no one was hurt during the crash. It was the worst crash that I have seen, so it was incredible no one was injured.”

Other witnesses have described how some motorists were mounting the grass verges either side of the overturned truck to get past.

Terry Jenkins, of Clun Road, Wick, was on his way home from work, in Dartford, when he was caught up in the drama.

He said that he was about 500 yards away from the crash site.

“It was a real mess. The first thing I thought to myself was ‘how on earth did you do that?’ – it was a straight stretch of road,” Terry said.

“As I drove by I saw the driver standing outside the lorry and asked him if he was all right. He said he was.”

He added: “The trailer was completely on its side but the actual truck was still standing. The driver was very lucky, if you ask me.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said the road was closed until midnight, while debris from the trailer was cleared from the highway. No arrests had been made in connection with the crash.