Driver has miracle escape after milk tanker overturns in crash

The driver of a milk tanker has had a miraculous escape after being involved in a collision on the outskirts of Frome.

The incident happened at about 8.15am on Christmas Day, when the milk tanker and a car collided on the B3092 in West Woodlands.

Fire crews and paramedics were called to the scene and on arrival discovered the milk tanker overturned in the hedge and the driver trapped.

The man was freed from the wreckage after about 45 minutes and taken to Frome Community Hospital suffering from shock.

The tanker had also ruptured and a small amount of milk leaked into a field adjacent to the incident.

A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service said: "We were called to the incident on Christmas Day to discover a truck driver trapped in his overturned lorry.

"Miraculously, he suffered no physical injuries, but we took him to Frome Community Hospital, where he was treated for shock.

"We can only think the reason he escaped without a scrape was due to the softness of the verges, due to the heavy downpours we have been experiencing – he was very lucky."

A fire service spokesman said the fire crews freed the man and contained a small leak from the tank.

He said: "Fire crews extricated the male casualty from the tanker using small tools to release cab door.

"Fire crews contained the leakage of milk to minimise environmental contamination and recorded a spillage of about two litres.

"The Environment Agency was informed of the incident but fire crews said there was minimal cause for concern as the nearest main watercourse was approximately one mile away from the location."

The driver of the car also walked away with no injuries.