Police release dashcam video showing moment HGV crashes in bridge and nearly CRUSHES van - after 'a lot of people automatically blamed the other driver'
- Video shows lorry slamming into a low-hanging railway bridge in Epsom, Surrey
- The HGV approaches the bridge, hits it, tips over and ploughs into nearby van
- Driver was slammed online for the 'appalling' driving which left the vehicle stuck Dramatic dashcam footage shows the moment a lorry slammed into a railway bridge that was too low for his vehicle and almost crushed a van.
The footage, captured in Epsom, Surrey on Friday May 21, shows a lorry collide with a low-hanging railway bridge before overturning and ploughing into a nearby delivery van.
The 20-second clip, shared by Surrey Police, has caused uproar on social media after several people 'automatically blamed the other [van] driver' for the incident.
Twitter users were quick to jump to conclusions and point the finger at the Waitrose delivery van, accusing the driver of not giving way or causing the lorry to crash.
But, video of the incident shows the lorry driver is more clearly in the wrong.
The bridge is high enough for HGVs in the middle, but signs indicates too low for his lorry at the sides.
But, the lorry driver continued driving under the bridge at speed, hitting it and toppling his vehicle and on top of the van.
The collision caused huge delays for motorists and commuters on the trains, with all routes in and around the bridge blocked for over three hours
The low-hanging Victorian bridge in Hook Road, Epsom with clearly marked height restrictions and signs on both sides of the carriageway
The collision on Hook Road (above) caused huge delays to motorists and commuters on the trains, with all routes in and around the area blocked for over three hours
But in sharing the footage today the force said: 'For some reason, a lot of people automatically pointed the blame at the van driver.
'Hopefully this clears things up for them.
'Assume nothing, Believe no one, Confirm everything.'
Miraculously, there were no injuries caused by the incident and Surrey Police say their enquiries are ongoing.
The footage, captured in Epsom, Surrey, shows a lorry collide with a low-hanging railway bridge before overturning and ploughing into a nearby delivery van
As the HGV makes contact with the bridge it starts to topple over and lands on top of the vanIn the dashcam video, viewers can see a parked Waitrose delivery van waiting at the edge of the low-hanging bridge in Hook Road, Epsom as a large HGV approaches.
The cab of the lorry safely makes it under the Victorian bridge, but the trailer it is carrying slams against the roof with an almighty bang, causing the lorry to jerk sideways and towards the van.
As the HGV makes contact with the bridge it starts to topple over and lands on top of the van.
The collision caused huge delays to motorists and commuters on the trains, with all routes in and around the bridge blocked for over three hours.
No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.
Social media users were left shocked at the footage, with some of those commenting questioning the drivers' qualifications
Other Twitter users wondered if the HGV driver should have been more careful
Social media users were left shocked at the footage, with some of those commenting questioning the drivers' qualifications.
One Twitter user wrote: 'Prosecutions required. The standard of "professional" drivers in this country is appalling.
Andrew Briers said: 'Vision before decision. Surely the LGV should have already seen the height restriction and that he was not going to get through.
'There lies the problem. And the cause of the collision. Driving without due care. Next stop, court.'
Twitter users were quick to point the blame at the Waitrose delivery van driver after the original image was posted by Surrey Police
In a statement, Surrey Police said: 'We were called following reports that an HGV lorry had become stuck after colliding with a railway bridge in Epsom around 3.40pm on Friday.
'The collision, which happened in East Street, also resulted in a delivery van becoming stuck under the lorry. Neither of the drivers were injured.
'Ambulance and fire crews were also in attendance, and Network Rail was contacted to ensure trains were stopped on safety grounds.
'The road was closed in both directions for several hours while both vehicles were recovered.
'No arrests have been made and enquiries remain ongoing.'
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