Talk about a Christmas home delivery service… A supermarket lorry has lost control on a rural icy road and ploughed into the side of an 18th century farmhouse.
The Waitrose delivery lorry was travelling towards the A3052 in the village of Newton Poppleford, Sidmouth, Devon, when it jack-knifed and careered into the house.
It is thought the driver hit a patch of ice before sliding down the hill in the early hours of this morning.
Part of a two foot wall as well as a huge set of double doors were demolished in the smash, which is also thought to have done structural damage to the property.
The family of six were asleep when the lorry ploughed into the house at around 5.30am yesterday.
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Parents Andrew and Della were woken up by their daughter Lesley, who was sleeping inches from where the lorry hit the house.
Lesley, 15, whose brother Shaun, 18, was also asleep, said: ”I felt this massive thud and ran outside in my wellies and pyjamas to see the truck stuck across the road.
”I asked the driver if he was ok and he said he was and then ran back in to check on everyone else.”
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Grandparents Betty, 77, and John Tucker were also asleep.
John, 80, said: ”I was asleep at the time and would have happily slept through, although someone woke me.
”I went outside and there was the driver, stood there with this glum expression across his face.
”The drivers come too quick over that hill at the best of times, but when it’s icy like this you’d think they might slow down.
”He told me he lost it coming over the brow of the hill and couldn’t do anything about it.
”Thankfully th damage isn’t too serious although I’m sure it will cost thousands of pounds to fix.”
Devon and Cornwall police closed the road and diverted traffic before removing the vehicle at around 10.30am this morning before re-opening the road shortly after.
Why assume the driver was going too fast? Have you not noticed the weather conditions? As the wife of a lorry driver i can honestly say they have to take more care than any car driver – they are pulling at least 30 tonnes.
there is no fault of the driver… its Christmas eve.. lots of traffic and dont forget the weather conditions…