Lorry wedged beneath railway bridge in crash

The HGV crashed into the bridge in Colton Road, Rugeley yesterday shortly before noon.

Police closed off the road that runs under the bridge for several hours to other drivers while investigations took place.

The driver of the lorry was unhurt and the bridge was deemed safe after the smash however trains travelling between Manchester and London via Rugeley were delayed as a result of the crash.

Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Sarah Davison said: "We were called just after 11.50am to the railway bridge at Colton Road.

"A lorry hit the railway bridge. It was carrying a shipping container."

She added: "The driver was not injured. We had to close the road for a time."

Virgin Trains spokesman Damien Henderson said the firm apologised to anyone delayed as a result of the incident.

He said: "Due to the bridge strike at Rugeley a number of our southbound trains between Manchester and London were delayed."

He added: "We would like to apologise to any customers affected by this disruption."

Mr Henderson said trains travelling over the bridge were having to travel at a reduced speed because of the crash. One woman, who heard the crash but did not want to be named, said the crash itself made a loud bang.

She said: "I heard this loud bang and saw that the lorry had got stuck under the bridge.

"I'm glad the driver is not hurt."

Investigations have found that the shipping container at the back of the lorry got stuck under the bridge in the crash.

Structural engineers were brought in to inspect the bridge to check that it was safe.

The crash happened just outside The Yorkshire Man pub.