A DRIVER had to be cut free after his articulated lorry overturned early today.

The lorry landed on its passenger side on a verge just past the Marsh Street roundabout at Bob Dunn Way, Dartford, at about 6.20am.

Firefighters cut away the windscreen and passenger seat to reach the victim and placed him on a spinal board.

Dartford Station leading firefighter Bob Chilmaid said: “We helped ambulance crews ease him on to the spinal board. Because the lorry was on its side and the width is eight feet we had to use ladders to reach the upper part.

“The accident also caused a spillage of diesel and engine and gearbox oil.”

The victim, a Latvian man driving a British lorry, was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries.

The lorry, which was travelling from Crayford carrying recycled rubbish, was righted by a recovery vehicle. The road was closed for at least half-an-hour.

Police attended the accident and council workers were also called to clear up the spillage. No other vehicles were involved.