Traffic mayhem on A34 south near Newbury after Tot Hill accident
Van driver's lucky escape
A VAN driver had a lucky escape this morning (Wed) after an accident on the A34 south near Newbury at Tot Hill, which saw huge queues of traffic.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) were called at 11.44am to the A34 southbound, Tot Hill incident, involving an HGV and van, which completely blocked the carriageway.
No-one was trapped.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) were called at 11.27 am and the van driver – the only occupant of the van - was taken by ambulance to the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
SCAS spokesman, David Gallagher, said the HGV was either broken down, or otherwise stationary in lane 1 and then involved in the collision, which fortunately, said Mr Gallagher, impacted on the passenger side of the van:
“The (ambulance) crew believe that if there had been a passenger in the van they would almost certainly have been dealing with a fatality,” said Mr Gallagher.
“The (van) driver was in a stable condition having only sustained a number of minor injuries.”
Initially three fire engines were called to the scene, however one was turned around en route and two remained at the scene.
The fire service cordoned off the area before leaving the scene at 12.12pm.
Hampshire police were called at 11.33am, with no arrests and police investigations continuing into the incident.
Earlier today, a driver caught in the traffic mayhem sent the following warning message about the A34 south congestion over social media:
"DON'T USE A34 Southbound from M4 to M3. So far the count is 5 police 2 ambulances 2 fire engines."
Lane 2 of the A34 south was re-opened at 12.45pm with the carriageway later clear.
PHOTOGRAPH ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE.