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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

Roeburndale bridge collapse: Man dies and several injured as vehicle falls in river

A man has died and up to 10 are injured after a car carrying a shooting party and its trailer plunged into a river when a bridge collapsed.

Police were called to a farm in Roeburndale, near Lancaster, after reports of a serious accident, at 4.25pm on Tuesday.

A Polaris Ranger vehicle pulling a trailer had fallen into a river when a bridge reportedly collapsed.

Eleven people on a shooting party were in the ranger vehicle and trailer at the time of the incident, according to Lancashire police.

Despite the presence of emergency services including police, ambulance crews, fire crews and mountain rescue, one man suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man died when the bridge collapsed as a can and a trailer drove over it (Lee McLean/SWNS)

A second man suffered a serious head injury and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

A third person suffered a serious back injury and was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary along with a number of others who were injured in the incident.

Road closures are in place and expected to continue for some time.

Reports suggest the vehicle fell into the vehicle when the bridge collapsed (Lee McLean/SWNS)

Police said an investigation into the circumstances around the incident is under way and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Detective inspector Kirsty Wyatt, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "My thoughts are very much with all those involved in what is a very sad and tragic incident.

Emergency vehicles at the scene in Roeburndale where a man died and several were injured (Thomas Beresford)

"One man has sadly died and a number of people have suffered serious injuries.

"At this time we believe the vehicle was pulling the trailer, containing a number of people, when a bridge gave way. Those people were then thrown from the vehicle and trailer.

The trailer is seen on the riverbed after the incident on Tuesday (Lee McLean/SWNS)

"Our investigation is at very early stages and enquiries are ongoing to establish what happened."

Anyone with information which can help police is urged to call 101 quoting log 0953 of January 18.

Police officers at the scene of the bridge collapse in Lancashire (Lancs Live/MEN Media)

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service added: "Our investigation is at very early stages and enquiries are ongoing to establish what happened.

"Five fire engines, including one from Cumbria and one from North Yorkshire, several special appliances and the air support unit attended initial reports of a road traffic collision on Moor Lane in Roeburndale.

"Firefighters assisted police, ambulance and mountain rescue teams in a multi-agency response to the incident which involved a vehicle pulling a trailer that had fallen into a river when a bridge collapsed.

"Several people were injured and sadly one person died. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time."

An investigation into the incident is under way (Thomas Beresford)

Councillor Caroline Jackson (Green), leader of Lancaster City Council, said: "We heard about this awful accident this morning and our hearts go out to all those involved and to their families and friends.

"Roeburndale is a wild and isolated spot even though it looks so close to Lancaster on the map.

"We are truly thankful that we have the air ambulance and mountain rescue services which were able to attend and support at speed."

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