Driver rescued from lorry teetering on an embankment

OXFORDSHIRE Fire and Rescue are warning lorry drivers and all road users to pay particular attention when driving long distances, to take regular rest breaks and to leave enough stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front, after they were called out to lorry that had left the road on the M40 earlier today.

Image courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue

The service reported this afternoon: ‘We were called to a lorry that had crashed off the M40 between Thame and Watlington at 11:40 am on Friday, April 28, 2017. Fire engines from Watlington, Thame, Wheatley and a specialist rescue vehicle from Reading attended the incident.

“On arrival the fire crews were met with an unstable lorry that had left the carriageway and gone down an embankment. Fire crews quickly assessed the situation, checking for injured people and checking the vehicle was not leaking fuel or carrying any hazardous loads.

“One person was removed from the vehicle on a stretcher by South Central Ambulance Service, working closely with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police.

“The cause of the incident is still under investigation.”

Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster said: “It was a lucky escape for the driver of the lorry.”