Tragedy as van driver pulled from river following fatal Staffordshire smash

05/12/2023

Firefighters have recovered the body of a van driver from the river following a fatal smash in Staffordshire. Emergency services – including two air ambulances – were called to Mill Lane in Lower Loxley to reports of a crash between a lorry and a van. And following the collision near Uttoxeter, which occurred at around 3.55pm on Friday (December 1) the van went into the river.

The body of the van driver, a man in his 30s, was recovered on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the lorry involved in the crash collided with a bridge which police say was left ‘extensively damaged’. Stafford Road between Mill Lane and Watery Lane remains closed today as repairs to the bridge continue.

READ: Four found in ‘shutdown’ Tunstall house at centre of police stand-off | A court order is in place on the Nash Peake Street house [1] READ: Police and trading standards raid Hanley house selling fake clothes and trainers | Stoke-on-Trent City Council has refused to disclose the exact address of the property [2] An investigation has been launched while the man’s family are supported by specialist officers.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were sent to the scene on Friday when the route was shut off. A Staffordshire Police [3] spokeswoman said: “We are appealing for witnesses after a fatal collision near Uttoxeter. “We were called at 3.55pm on Friday (December 1) to reports of a serious collision involving a lorry and a van on Mill Lane, Lower Loxley.

Officers went to the scene with firefighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service [4] and paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service. “As a result of the collision, the van went into the river. Sadly, the driver, a man in his 30s, died and firefighters recovered his body from the river on Saturday afternoon.

“The man’s family are being supported by specialist officers. The lorry collided with a bridge which was extensively damaged. “We are keen to speak to anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area or those with any information which could help collision investigators.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service [5] sent two air ambulances to the scene. A spokeswoman said: “Three ambulances, two paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulances from Cosford and Staffordshire attended the scene. On arrival we discovered a van that was submerged in the water.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services staff, it became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.” Witnesses should call the force on 101 and quote incident 409 of December 1. Alternatively e-mail collision investigators directly on [email protected].

References

^ Four found in ‘shutdown’ Tunstall house at centre of police stand-off | A court order is in place on the Nash Peake Street house (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Police and trading standards raid Hanley house selling fake clothes and trainers | Stoke-on-Trent City Council has refused to disclose the exact address of the property (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Staffordshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE (data.reachplc.com)