Four hurt in crash involving Somerset collection vehicle

The incident occurred near the Nunney Catch Roundabout, Frome with two fire appliances and a rescue tender called to the scene to make the vehicles safe and release the casualties.

Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed that the collection vehicle was in collision with a tipper truck. There were “four male casualties” which included the driver of the tipper truck. The South Western Ambulance Service said that the other two casualties were taken by road ambulance to hospital.

One of the recycling vehicle casualties is understood to have been seriously injured. The police said: “The driver and one passenger from the recycling lorry have injuries not believed life-changing or life-threatening. The other passenger has life-changing injuries. The driver of the tipper truck has injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.”

The police statement continued: “The road was closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident, while specialist collision investigators examined the scene and until the vehicles could be recovered. The road was reopened just after 10.15pm.

‘Saddened’

The Somerset Waste Partnership said: “We were shocked and saddened to learn of a serious accident involving a recycling truck and another vehicle yesterday on the A361 near Nunney.”

The statement continued: “Our sympathy and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to all those injured, and to their families. We would also like to thank the emergency services and medical staff for their swift response.”

Kier

A Kier spokesperson commented: “Following an incident on Monday afternoon three operatives were taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. We’re offering support and counselling to their families and colleagues during this time and are supporting the police with their ongoing investigation.”

The company has about 400 crew members working on its Somerset Waste Partnership contract. In 2017 the partnership and Kier jointly agreed to end their current contract 18 months early, on 27 March 2020.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information which could help the police investigation into the incident is asked to get in touch through http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting reference 5219070293.