The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Major detours through Perthshire after crane crash
Acenturies-old Perthshire bridge has been put out of action after it was struck by a 16-wheel crane.
The huge vehicle came to grief at the crossing, near Lochearnhead, just after 7am yesterday.
It is believed the crane became stuck while making a tight corner near roadworks on the A85 route. Some of its wheels were left hanging over the parapet.
Emergency services were soon on the scene and a seven-mile stretch of the busy commuter route was shut down.
Efforts to remove the crane were expected to last into today at least.
A full assessment of the bridge, which crosses the Ogle Burn, will be carried out once the vehicle has been removed.
A Bear Scotland spokeswoman said: “Our team is assisting Police Scotland following an incident involving a large crane striking the bridge at
Lochearnhead morning.
“Wo r k is currently ongoing to safely recover the vehicle, after which further assessments of the damage to the bridge will be completed.”
She said: “As the vehicle recovery is complex the road is currently anticipated to remain closed throughout Friday and into Saturday.
“A diversion route has been implemented and we thank road users for their patience while the vehicle this
recovery is completed and assessment of the damage carried out prior to reopening.”
In the meantime motorists face extensive detours, with westbound traffic from Crieff redirected along the A923 and on to the A9 past Doune and Callander.
A police spokeswoman said: “The A85 at St Fillans was closed following a road
traffic incident where part of a roadway has been damaged.
“Officers were called to the scene at around 7.10am on Friday.
“No one was injured but the road is expected to be closed for some time to allow for recovery of the vehicle and to ensure the area is made safe.”
She urged drivers avoid the area. to
Firefighters from nearby Killin, Comrie and Tyndrum were called out just after 7.40am.
“On arrival, all persons had been released from the vehicle,” a fire ser vice spokesman said . “Firefighters then made the scene safe.”
In June, another old bridge on the A85 route was damaged after being hit by a car.