Runaway lorry crashes in Edgworth pub

8:31am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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A TRUCK slammed into the front of a pub - after rolling down a road backwards with no-one at the wheel.

Police say the Rose and Crown may need to be demolished as a result of the smash and Bury Road in Edgworth will be closed until next week while inspections take place.

The handbrake of the lorry is believed to have failed, causing it to start rolling.

It hit the front of the pub at around 1pm yesterday.

The truck had a machine, believed to be used for laying asphalt, on its trailer.

This slid down the vehicle and into one of the pub windows.

There was extensive damage to the pub but no one was hurt in the incident.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "The incident happened at 12.55pm in Bury Road, Edgworth.

"The handbrake on a blue Scania truck is believed to have failed, causing it to go into the front of the Rose and Crown pub.

"At around 2pm the road was closed from the White Horse at the junction with Bolton Road to just past the crash scene.

"The road will be closed until next week. A building inspector needs to visit the site before the vehicle can be recovered because there is a possibility the building could collapse."

Robert Penman, of Crown Gardens, Edgworth, was travelling through the village and came across the scene.

The 45-year-old said: "The actual machine that was on the trailer had gone through a window, the roof has buckled and one of the upstairs windows is slanted.

"It has obviously affected the foundations of the building. It looked a mess."

Lynda Dunlevy lives next door to the pub and she said: "It is a dramatic scene.

"It looks as if the building has been structurally damaged.

"Members of the village have turned out in force to offer their support and help.

"Without a doubt everybody in the village feels very sorry for the people who run the pub."