A driver had two “miracle escapes” after a plank of wood almost decapitated him when it smashed his windscreen - moments before his van was destroyed by a lorry. Incredible pictures show the dark grey Ford Transit Custom van totally crushed after it collided with a HGV on Bank Holiday Monday.
The lorry flipped over onto its side in the crash which happened on the A50 between Blythe Bridge and Uttoxter, Staffordshire, at 11.48am. Despite the carnage, the drivers of both vehicles walked away with just minor injuries.
Rescue teams, including two ambulances, two paramedics and the Midland Air Ambulance, dashed to the scene of the crash. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a HGV on its side up an embankment and a van which had sustained significant damage in the collision including a piece of wood through its windscreen.
“The driver of the van, a man, was miraculously out of his vehicle and sitting at the side of the road. He was assessed by the team of ambulance staff and found with injuries not thought to be life threatening.
“He was given treatment on scene before being conveyed by land ambulance to Royal Stoke University Hospital. The HGV driver, a man, was also out of his overturned vehicle and was assessed on scene by ambulance staff.
“He sustained no apparent serious injuries but was conveyed to the same hospital for further checks due to the serious nature of the RTC. Considering the dramatic scene and significant damage, it was remarkable that no one was killed.”
