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Moment lorry smashes into bridge and snaps off its metal grab [video]

Moment lorry smashes into bridge and snaps off its metal grab [video] 2

Moment lorry smashes into bridge and snaps off its metal grab sending debris flying across dual carriageway and closing A23 in Sussex for hours

  • The incident happened on the A23 between Bolney and Warninglid, West Sussex
  • A grab lorry was seen travelling with its crane up before it crashed into a bridge 
  • The crash ripped the grab from the vehicle, which then fell onto the inside lane
  • Police closed the road for about three hours while inspections were carried out


Footage shows the moment a lorry crashes into a bridge, snapping off its grab, forcing a major A-road to be closed in both directions.

The vehicle was travelling southbound along the A23 between Warninglid and Bolney, West Sussex, shortly after 12pm on Wednesday, November 3.

It smashed into a bridge, ripping off the grab which then fell onto the inside lane of the carriageway.

Police said the road was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while Highways England carried out an inspection.

Video footage of the crash shows the vehicle travelling southbound past the exit for Bolney village, in the inside lane of the three-carriage A23, with its grab extended upwards above the lorry.

Shortly after the exit, the vehicle approaches a bridge crossing over the carriageway.

Video footage, filmed from another vehicle travelling directly behind the lorry, shows a dust explosion and a bang can be heard as the lorry’s grab smashes into the side of the bridge.

At the moment of collision, a vehicle travelling slightly behind the lorry in the middle lane takes evasive action and pulls into the outside lane.

A grab was ripped off a lorry as it smashed into a bridge on the A23 between Bolney and Warninglid, West Sussex, shortly after 12pm on Wednesday

A grab was ripped off a lorry as it smashed into a bridge on the A23 between Bolney and Warninglid, West Sussex, shortly after 12pm on Wednesday

Shortly before the crash, the grab lorry was seen travelling with its crane pointing skywards as it was driven along the A23

Shortly before the crash, the grab lorry was seen travelling with its crane pointing skywards as it was driven along the A23

As the travelling vehicle continues, the lorry’s grab can be seen on the edge of the inside lane, having been completely ripped off the top of the lorry.

The driver travelling behind can be heard indicating into the middle lane as they attempt to steer clear of the ripped-off grab, while the person filming says: ‘the f***ing grabber’s come clean off the lorry, mush.’

As the video continues, more rubble can be seen in the middle lane of the A23.

The person filming says: ‘Who’s driving it?

‘The grab’s come clean off the f***ing lorry, I don’t believe it mush. I don’t believe it, who is it?

‘He’s just going to leave the grab in the road?’

As the vehicle behind catches up to the lorry, which does not stop during the footage, the crane which had been carrying the grab is now in a lower position having been knocked back by the bridge.

The lorry can be seen approaching the bridge over the A23 while its crane is pointing upwards. As the vehicle travels forwards, it strikes the bridge, ripping its grab off

The lorry can be seen approaching the bridge over the A23 while its crane is pointing upwards. As the vehicle travels forwards, it strikes the bridge, ripping its grab off

The person filming the incident eventually caught up with the lorry, showing its crane had been knocked down by the crash with the bridge

The person filming the incident eventually caught up with the lorry, showing its crane had been knocked down by the crash with the bridge

The person filming adds: ‘I can’t believe he’s just done that.’ 

Sussex Police were sent to the scene shortly after 12pm and the road was closed for approximately three hours.

In a statement at 3.23pm, a force spokesman said the road had been reopened.

They added: ‘The carriageway was closed in both directions and the A272 Cowfold Road was also closed while Highways England carried out an inspection.

‘Checks have been completed and all roads have now reopened.

‘We thank the public for their patience while officers responded to this incident.’ 

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