Lyndhurst: Lorry driver due in court after HGV sheds load
The 23-year-old was walking through the centre of Lyndhurst last October when a passing HGV shed part of its load, leaving the pavement covered in concrete slabs.
Now police have confirmed that the driver is being prosecuted in connection with the incident.
Slawomir Kotlowski, 40, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is accused of driving with an insecure load and is due to appear at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court next month.
The lorry was being driven through Lyndhurst when it shed part of its load outside the Lyndhurst Park Hotel (Image: Newsquest)
The lorry was heading west on the A35 when the accident occurred outside the former Lyndhurst Park Hotel.
Police closed the eastern end of the main shopping street between its junctions with the A337 Lyndhurst to Lymington road and the B3056 Lyndhurst to Beaulieu route.
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was sent to the scene and landed at Boltons Bench, a large area of grassland behind the hotel.
Paramedics rushed to the aid of the casualty, who was taken to University Hospital Southampton after receiving emergency treatment. Her condition was later described as critical.
The main road through Lyndhurst was closed for several hours following the crash (Image: Newsquest)
Speaking at the time Lyndhurst trader Jonah Norris said: "I saw three ambulances and two police cars, you could tell that something was happening.
"Lyndhurst is normally quite a sleepy place and you know when something is going on. There's a feeling in the village."
Other traders said the first they knew of the incident was when traffic stopped passing their shops.
Traffic approaching Lyndhurst from the west was diverted down the A337 (Image: Newsquest.)
The lorry involved pulled over and was left parked opposite the Willow Tree Cafe with its hazard warning lights on.
Traffic heading into Lyndhurst from the Ashurst direction was diverted down the B3056. Lorries, buses, and a coach were among the vehicles caught up in the disruption.
It happened shortly after noon on October 31 and resulted in part of the main road through Lyndhurst being closed for several hours.
The casualty was later identified as an employee of New Forest[3] District Council, which is based at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst. She is believed to have been walking to or from the council offices when the accident happened.
A council source said: "I'm glad to say she has recovered and I believe has returned to work."
A police spokesperson added: "A 40-year-old man has been sent a postal requisition to appear at Aldershot Magistrates' Court for driving with an insecure load."
References
- ^ Everything we know after pedestrian critically injured in A35 Lyndhurst accident (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Woman still in hospital after lorry sheds load in centre of Lyndhurst (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ New Forest (www.dailyecho.co.uk)