Food truck bridge smash causes traffic chaos
The incident occurred on a 19th Century stone bridge known as The Cut, in the centre of Banbridge on Newry Street, County Down.
A lorry from Sawyers UK Chilled Distribution was stuck under the bridge, leading the road to be closed to traffic. No injuries were reported.
The accident occurred just one day after another lorry sheered the top off its trailer trying to travel under the bridge. The driver passed under the bridge, unaware of the damage caused to the vehicle.
Unaware of the damage
Officers on Police Service Northern Ireland’s (PSNI’s) Banbridge Facebook page shared an image of the crash, suggesting they would have to stand on the bridge to warn drivers of its height.
“If you're approaching a bridge, take careful note of the clearance, and make sure you know your own vehicle height,” added PSNI Banbridge.
“At this rate we’ll have our own ‘2017 Bridge Strike Calendar’, and you don’t want to be in that.”
Freight Transport Association policy and membership manager Seamus Leheny told FoodManufacture.co.uk the most common cause of bridge strikes involving HGVs was drivers not knowing the heights of their vehicles and an over-reliance on satellite navigation systems (sat-navs).
“Operators must always ensure they only use sat-navs that highlight low bridges and will direct a [heavy goods vehicle] on suitable routes,” added Leheny.
