Gritter lorry skids on black ice

Lorry plunges 30ft in icy conditions at Arlington

A GRITTER lorry driver suffered a broken leg after his vehicle skidded on black ice near Arlington in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The man had to be cut free by firefighters after his lorry plunged 30ft over an embankment on the A39 at around 7.30am.

Crews from Barnstaple and Combe Martin Alarm were scrambled after the alarm was raised by a postman who was making deliveries in the area at the time.

They were joined by colleagues from Ilfracombe, who used hydraulic cutting equipment, small tools, short extension ladder and shacks to release the casualty.

He was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where his condition is described as “comfortable�.