Traffic jams as HGV 'jack-knifes' on A50

A LORRY carrying a consignment of jam overturned on a dual carriageway and caused more than eight hours of delays.

The HGV jack-knifed on the A50 between Blythe Bridge and Uttoxeter to leave the driver needing hospital treatment.

Police and firefighters then mounted a major operation to stabilise the vehicle and make sure the jam did not spill into the road.

The crash, which happened at around 8.40am yesterday, caused widespread delays until the lorry was hauled upright.

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Sarah Davison, a spokesman for Staffordshire Police, said: "We received a report of an overturned HGV on the westbound carriageway of the A50 near JCB.

"A man in his early 60s, suffered a minor head injury and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

"Due to the position of the HGV, the recovery process was complicated and had to be carried out carefully to avoid spillage of the lorry's load.

"Officers remained on the scene diverting traffic around the blockage while the recovery took place."

The westbound carriageway, between A522 and Blythe Bridge, was closed until shortly after 4.40pm.

Dave Arrowsmith, aged 32, from Weston Coyney was travelling from Stoke-on-Trent to Doncaster when he passed the incident at around 10am.

He said: "At the time the traffic was tailing back to around the Shell garage on the outskirts of Uttoxeter, but by this time, the police had closed further access to the road. There was obviously a large emergency services presence.

"Cars stuck in the hold up were turning round and heading back towards Uttoxeter, but I don't know if the police were directing them to do this or whether they were doing so of their own accord."

The eastbound carriageway was also affected for a short time.

The lorry had landed on its side, completely blocking the westbound carriageway.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The driver was not trapped and was treated by paramedics.

"We sent four appliances, one from Abbots Bromley, two from Longton and one from Uttoxeter, and a heavy rescue vehicle recovered the lorry."

A spokesman for the West Midlands Highways Agency said: "We were made aware of the incident at 9.26am which involved the one overturned vehicle."

Joyce Plant, aged 72, who lives on Tean High Street, said:"It did disrupt things and affect people locally."