A27 closed: Prison van overturns after crash with lorry leaving four people trapped
FOUR people are trapped on the A27 after a prison van smashed into a HGV, forcing the closure of the busy road.
A27: Overturned prison van causes major traffic in Lewes
The van was understood to have been transporting an inmate to court from HMP Lewes before the incident occurred at 11am. Police say that one man had sustained serious injuries after the incident which occurred on the Lewes Bypass between the Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts.
A Sussex Police spokesperson, said: "At 10.55 on Monday (10 August) police were called to a crash involving an HGV lorry and a security van transporting a prisoner.
"A 29-year-old man is reported to have suffered serious injuries in the collision. Rescue and recovery work continues at the location.
"The road is currently closed in both directions between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts.
"Traffic is severely gridlocked in the area and is expected to remain so until later this afternoon.
"Please avoid the area while this incident is ongoing.
"Anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to report online or call 101, quoting Operation Onyx."
Melanie Beck, who was an eyewitness near the scene, told The Sussex Express: “The driver of the lorry looks to have walked away unhurt.
"Paramedics are working on a man rescued from the skylight of the prison van.
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"Another had to be cut free from the vehicle.
"More and more emergency services are arriving.”
A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “We were called at 10.59am to attend a road traffic collision involving one HGV and one van on A27 Lewes Bypass.
“Crews from Battle, Uckfield, Seaford, Lewes and Preston Circus are currently in attendance.
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The A27 at #Lewes will remain fully closed for some hours yet and the westbound carriageway may not reopen until into the evening. Please avoid, but if you have to travel in the area, please ensure that you have water in this hot weather as there is serious congestion locally. pic.twitter.com/SIsozasXJj
— Sussex Roads Police (@SussexRoadsPol) August 10, 2020
"Four people were reported trapped.
"Three have been extricated and crews are working on extricating the fourth.”