A lorry driver had a lucky escape last night when his truck left the road and entered a ditch on the A142 south of Ely.

Ely Standard: Dramatic scenes from the A142 south of Ely yesterday evening (23rd January 2018) when a heavy goods vehicle left the highway PHOTO: East Cambs PoliceDramatic scenes from the A142 south of Ely yesterday evening (23rd January 2018) when a heavy goods vehicle left the highway PHOTO: East Cambs Police (Image: Archant)

Emergency services received a 999 call at 4.30pm from a member of the public when the truck left the road and entered the adjacent ditch while travelling towards Soham.

A police spokesman said: “Thankfully the driver of the lorry was uninjured.”

Police, ambulance and highways officers worked with a private recovery agent to help remove the wagon from the verge. Extensive damage has been caused to the hedgerow and field boundary.

PC Steve Glibly, who attended the scene, said: “Thankfully it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as it looked.

“There is damage to the lorry, and to the perimeter of the field but importantly the driver was ok, and the traffic disturbance didn’t grind the A142 to a halt”

The HGV was removed at 8pm.

PC Gilbey said: “All of the emergency services involved are grateful to the considerate drivers who passed the scene with due care.

“The risk of a secondary incident in such circumstances can be substantial.”