A35 closed both ways after lorry crashes

The road at Raymonds Hill, just over the Devon border, was closed in both directions at around 7.40am today.

Police, paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene of the crash.

Traffic was queueing for around an hour.

The road was closed between Green Lane and B3165 Crewkerne Road.

A picture of the crash shows a severely-damaged lorry off the road.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called at 6.50am today to Raymonds Hill, following a report of a lorry in collision with a power line.

“The vehicle is off the road and the lane from Dorset is currently closed as the pole is obstructing the road and needs to be made safe.

“The driver of the lorry has sustained injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening or changing.”

A spokesperson for Axminster Fire Station said: “Fire control received a call from the Police reporting a vehicle on fire following an RTC on the A35 at Raymonds Hill.

“Control immediately mobilised Axminster and Charmouth to attend.

“Once on scene crews quickly confirmed the vehicle was not on fire but had collided with a Telecoms Pole and a Tree, fortunately, the driver had managed to self-extricate.

“Crews liaised with an off-duty paramedic who was rendering first aid to the casualty in a nearby property.

“Crews then set about making the vehicle safe by disconnecting the battery in the vehicle to prevent any escalation of the incident.

“Crews requested British Telecoms to attend and assess the scene as 1 x Telecoms Pole had been completely broken bringing down the lines.

“Whilst this was ongoing crews had set up traffic management to keep 1 Lane of the A35 open.

“After the Police had arrived and took over traffic management duties our crew completed a handover form and left the scene with the Police who had requested highways and recovery of the vehicle.

“We expect there to be delays on the A35 for a duration of the day and we thank you all for your patience whilst we dealt with this incident.”