A driver had two “miracle escapes” after a plank of wood almost decapitated him when it smashed through his windscreen - moments before his van was destroyed by a lorry.
Pictures from the scene show the dark grey Ford Transit Custom van involved totally crushed after it collided with a HGV on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2).
The ambulance services said it was "remarkable that no-one was killed".
During the crash, which happened on the A50 between Blythe Bridge and Uttoxter in Staffordshire, the lorry flipped over onto its side. The drivers of both vehicles fortunately only suffered 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 spokesman 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 collision. Considering the dramatic scene and significant damage, it was remarkable that no-one was killed.”
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