Tragedy struck in Herefordshire when a bin lorry careened into a house, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to two others. The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning in Leominster, drawing a swift response from emergency services, including paramedics, police, and five fire crews, who arrived at the scene around 6:40 a.m.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found one passenger in the lorry had succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger were transported to a local hospital, where their injuries are being treated and, fortunately, are not considered life-threatening. Authorities have confirmed that the residence was unoccupied when the crash occurred, preventing further casualties.
The impact of the collision was severe, as evidenced by striking photographs depicting extensive damage to the structure on Bridge Street. The front end of the bin lorry was left in a state of twisted wreckage, highlighting the force of the crash.
Investigations suggest that the bin lorry veered off course at a mini roundabout, leading to this tragic accident. The local community is now left to grapple with the aftermath of this unexpected event, as officials continue to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash.
Shocking photos show how the impact caused significant damage to the building on Bridge Street and left the front end of the bin lorry a mangled wreckage.
The bin lorry is believed to have left the road at a mini roundabout.
Superintendent Helen Wain, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘Shortly after 6.40am this morning emergency services responded to a report a bin lorry had collided with a building in Mill Street in Leominster.
‘Three people were in the vehicle at the time of the collision and it has now been confirmed that sadly a man in his 60s, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The scene where a bin lorry crashed into a house in Leominster, Herefordshire this morning
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash where a man was pronounced dead
‘The driver and a second passenger were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for treatment.
‘Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
‘The building was empty and no one else was injured.
‘On behalf of all agencies, our thoughts and condolences are with those involved and families affected by the incident.
‘A cordon remains in place while the fire service and local authorities continue to work to make the building safe.
‘Roads surrounding the building are closed and are expected to remain closed for some time.
‘We ask you to avoid Mill Street and the surrounding area and find an alternative route.’
Herefordshire Council confirmed a waste collection lorry had crashed into the house.
Shocking photos show how the impact caused significant damage to the building
A council spokesperson said: ‘We are working with our partners to assess the situation.
‘We are asking people to avoid the area to allow the emergency services to safely carry out their work.
‘Our thoughts are with those involved in the incident and their families.
‘We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response.
‘Further updates will be issued when more facts are known.’
One local resident, who lives nearby but did not want to be named, said: ‘The noise of the impact woke us up this morning – it was absolutely horrific.
‘We’re just praying everyone is OK. It doesn’t look good.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We currently have two ambulances, two paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), two Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) BASICS doctors, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Air Ambulance Critical Care Car from Strensham at the scene.’
Roads were closed in the surrounding area today and a police cordon was put in place at the scene
A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Four Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews – two from Hereford and one each from Leominster and Tenbury Wells Fire Stations – were called at 06:44 on 11 November to an RTC into a building in Bridge Street, Leominster.
‘Police and Ambulance are also in attendance. The incident is ongoing.’
A spokesperson for Herefordshire Highways said: ‘Emergency services are dealing with a vehicle collision with a building at the Mill Street/Bridge Street roundabout.
‘Please avoid the area and follow diversions.’
