Moment lorry smashes into bridge and snaps off its metal grab [video]
Moment lorry smashes into bridge and snaps off its metal grab sending debris flying across dual carriageway and closing A23 in Sussex for hours
The incident happened on the A23 between Bolney and Warninglid, West SussexA grab lorry was seen travelling with its crane up before it crashed into a bridge The crash ripped the grab from the vehicle, which then fell onto the inside lanePolice closed the road for about three hours while inspections were carried out
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Footage shows the moment a lorry crashes into a bridge, snapping off its grab and causing a major A-road to be closed in both directions.
The grab lorry was travelling southbound along the A23 between Warninglid and Bolney, West Sussex, shortly after 12pm on Wednesday, November 3.
It smashed into a bridge, ripping off the grab which then fell onto the inside lane of the carriageway.
Police said the road was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while Highways England carried out an inspection.
Footage shot from a vehicle following the lorry shows it travelling southbound past the Bolney village exit, in the inside lane, with its grab extended upwards.
The lorry can be seen approaching a bridge over the triple-carriageway section.
Suddenly there is an explosion of dust and debris as the metal grab smashes into the side of the bridge with a loud bang before it shears off the lorry.
As the filmer drives past, the lorry’s grab can be seen on the edge of the inside lane, surrounded by other debris.
A grab was ripped off a lorry as it smashed into a bridge on the A23 between Bolney and Warninglid, West Sussex, shortly after 12pm on Wednesday
Shortly before the crash, the grab lorry was seen travelling with its crane pointing skywards as it was driven along the A23
The driver travelling behind can be heard indicating into the middle lane as he swerves away from the ripped-off grab, while the man filming says: ‘The f***ing grabber’s come clean off the lorry, mush.’
As the video continues, more rubble can be seen in the middle lane of the A23.
The person filming says: ‘Who’s driving it?
‘The grab’s come clean off the f***ing lorry, I don’t believe it mush. I don’t believe it, who is it?
‘He’s just going to leave the grab in the road?’
As the vehicle behind catches up to the lorry, which does not stop during the footage, the metal grab arm can be seen in a horizontal position after having been knocked down by the bridge.
The lorry can be seen approaching the bridge over the A23 while its crane is pointing upwards. As the vehicle travels forwards, it strikes the bridge, ripping its grab off
The person filming the incident eventually caught up with the lorry, showing its crane had been knocked down by the crash with the bridge
The person filming adds: ‘I can’t believe he’s just done that.’
Highways England said: ‘The A23 southbound was closed within the A272 junction, near Bolney, Haywards Heath after a lorry struck the bridge at 12.11 yesterday afternoon.
‘Lane three was re-opened at 14.25 and the carriageway was fully opened after structural engineer inspections were complete at 15.32.’
Sussex Police were sent to the scene shortly after 12pm and the road was closed for approximately three hours.
In a statement at 3.23pm, a force spokesman said the road had been reopened.
They added: ‘The carriageway was closed in both directions and the A272 Cowfold Road was also closed while Highways England carried out an inspection.
‘Checks have been completed and all roads have now reopened.
‘We thank the public for their patience while officers responded to this incident.’
