Lorry hits bridge in Coombe Valley Road, Dover
Published: 08:23, 17 October 2017
A brother and sister were lucky to be away from their home when a lorry crashed into a bridge just outside their house early this morning.
The truck ended up at an angle after striking the bridge in Coombe Valley Road at around 7.30am.
The cab had got underneath, but apparently hit the height-restricted obstacle as it tried to manoeuvre the rest of the vehicle through.
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The lorry cab wedged under the bridge and its trailer crushed the front garden wall of a house but left its main structure intact.
The house's occupants, Adam Coleman, 29, and his sister Lauren, 21, were both at work at McDonald's at the time.
They rushed back home as the news spread throughout social media and work colleagues warned them.
Lauren, who works at the Whitfield restaurant, was too shocked and distressed to talk.
But Adam, who works at the Biggin Street branch, said: "We asked our employers to go straight home.
"We still have our dogs in there, but we are not allowed to get inside until the lorry is moved."
The siblings said that their parents David and Michelle are on holiday in the Dominican Republic and do not yet know.
Adam said: "It's is still only the early hours of the morning there so they would still be asleep. We are waiting to tell them."
A Kent Highways spokesman said the accident happened at the junction of Edgar Road.
WATCH: The aftermath of a lorry crashing into a bridge in Dover
Police were called to the scene, but there was found to be a large diesel spillage and the traffic lights are not working.
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Coombe Valley Road at 7.31am.
"A lorry was in collision with a bridge and overturned. No injuries were reported.
"Work was underway by emergency services to recover the vehicle and assess any structural damage.
“The road was closed and diversions were in place.”
KCC workers were sent along with an engineer to assess the traffic signals damage. the council workers will also deal with the diesel spillage.
British Transport Police takes charge of liaising with Network Rail over ensuring the safety of the bridge and railway line.
The lorry was later removed and KCC Highways said the road reopened at around 6.15pm.
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KentOnline reporter