Drink-drive arrest after lorry overturns near Morrisons

A suspected drink and drug driver was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning (October 17) after a lorry overturned on an A-road near the M4. The incident was reported at around 2am on the A350 near Chippenham, just a few miles south of the M4 J17. The HGV had overturned near the Morrisons supermarket on Stainers Way, with the driver reported to be trapped.

Road closures were put in place on the A350 as emergency services were called to the scene, and are expected to remain in place throughout the morning. The road was initially closed in both directions[1], but the southbound carriageway reopened shortly after 7am, remaining partially blocked, according to traffic monitoring site, Inrix. A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving and is currently in police custody.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "A man is currently in custody after a lorry overturned on the A350 early this morning (17/10). "Emergency services were called to the road near to Morrisons shortly before 2am after a lorry overturned. The driver was reported to be trapped.

"Road closures were put in place along the A350 between Morrisons and the petrol station whilst the incident was dealt with, and these remain in place due to the complex recovery process. "A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving and is currently in custody in Melksham for questioning. "Enquiries continue.

The road is likely to remain closed for the duration of the morning. Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log 21 of today." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS[2] Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: "We were called at 01:59hrs on Friday 17 October to a road traffic collision near Chippenham.

We sent a double-crewed land ambulance and an operations officer to the scene."

References

1. ^ The road was initially closed in both directions (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ NHS (www.bristolpost.co.uk)