Crash shuts A38
LONG DELAYS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AFTER LORRIES COLLIDE
THERE were long queues of traffic on the A38 yesterday after a crash involving two lorries.
The collision took place on the northbound carriageway at around 1.45pm but for a time both sides of the road were closed, with queues stretching as far back as Willington on the Derby-bound side.
WITNESSES shared their shock at a serious crash that closed the A38 in both directions in Derby yesterday.
All three emergency services were called to a collision between two lorries on the northbound carriageway between Findern and Kingsway.
Drivers were stuck in huge tailbacks stretching as far as Willington and the incident was having an impact on traffic across the city with heavy delays. Motorists were being advised to avoid the area while the incident was dealt with last night.
One witness, who did not wish to be named, said: “The ambulance is inspecting a guy now. It looks like a van and a couple of delivery vans and they all seem to have smashed into each other.”
Others said the A38 had been closed in both northbound and southbound directions.
Other witnesses also said that there appear to be “military trucks” at the scene – although it was unclear if they had been involved in the crash or were aiding in the response.
Another said schoolchildren were unable to cross the bridge over the main trunk road where parents were waiting for them on the other side. The witness said parents were “worried and panicking”.
One resident travelling from Swadlincote to the city was also in touch about her travel time. The resident said their satnav was showing it would take them up to an hour to get home to Derby. A spokesperson from the force said: “Motorists are being advised to avoid the A38 in Derby due to a serious collision. “All emergency services were called to a collision between two lorries on the northbound carriageway between Findern and Kingsway. The call was received at 1.45pm. Officers have closed both carriageways of the A38 between Findern and Kingsway while work at the scene continues.
“Traffic in the area is backing up and we are advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.”
National Highways East Midlands tweeted about the incident, it wrote: “Please note, due to several incidents around #Derby, the road network is very busy, @DerbyshireFRS @DerbyshireRPU and our #TrafficOfficers are working very hard to keep you moving.”
Traffic in the area is backing up and we are advising motorists to avoid the area if possible. Police