East Lothian man 'counting his blessings' after falling lorry narrowly misses him before bursting into flames
An East Lothian man is ‘counting his blessings’ after his van was almost hit by a falling lorry which then burst into flames.
Mark Innes, who owns The Tartan Timber Co. based in Haddington, was out making deliveries shortly before 4pm on Wednesday, March 11, when he turned on to the slip road of the A1 and was met with a ‘terrifying’ sight.
“I just turned on to the road as I do everyday and I just saw this lorry rolling down the hill towards me. It was like something out of Final Destination. It was absolutely terrifying,” said the 37-year-old.
Mark, who lives in Musselburgh, said he was still in a state of shock when the vehicle burst into flames by the side of the slip road.
”There were explosions, fuel leaking and the wheels of the lorry blew about 30 feet into the air. It was like something out of a film,” he said.
“It was really scary but I never even thought. I was just that happy that it didn’t hit me, I think I was in shock. So it took me a wee minute to actually pull over.
“I was just in so much shock so I don’t think it registered what was actually happening. But it burst into flames almost instantly. Then I saw people run over to the lorry with fire extinguishers and they were pulling the driver out.”
Mark said he is now ‘counting his blessings’ after the near-miss and said he would ‘holding the kids tighter tonight’ as a result.
“The driver is okay and that’s the main thing. As long as everyone is safe. But it could have been so much worse. The people who pulled the driver out of that van did really well, they probably saved his life,” he said.
“I’ll be holding the kids tighter tonight anyway, that’s for sure.”
Emergency services were called to the northbound carriageway of the A1 - between the Thistly Cross roundabout and the Haddington turn off - at around 3.50pm on Wednesday, March 11 following reports of a two vehicle crash.
The road is currently closed and drivers have been urged to avoid the area.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The A1 is closed northbound between the Thistly Cross roundabout and the Haddington turn-off following a two-vehicle crash reported to police around 3.50pm on Wednesday, March 11. Road users are advised to avoid the area.”
Traffic Scotland said: “The A1 is closed northbound at Haddington to a road traffic incident. Please use alternative routes and expect delays.” It added that the northbound on-slip road is also currently closed due to the incident.
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