Lorry stuck in Cornish village lifted out 'by crane'

  • Watch the moment a stuck lorry is lifted free by crane in Cornwall

A lorry that got stuck on a narrow road into a village in Cornwall has been lifted out by crane on Wednesday 2 October.

The vehicle became trapped on Castle Hill in Forder, near Saltash, two days earlier, on Monday 30 September.

Residents told ITV News the power to their homes was temporarily cut to allow the vehicle to be safely recovered.

The recovery team started by unhitching the cab from the container, then attaching straps to the container so it could be lifted up by the crane.

The team operating the crane, who came from Truro, said it was a straightforward rescue.

Watch: ITV News drone camera footage shows the moment the lorry is released by crane

Dougie Smith, from Macsalvors crane hire company, said: "It wasn't really that difficult. It was just about sorting the power lines out and then getting the crane into position.

"Then just getting the job done and getting everyone's lives in order again. It happens every 17 years here apparently!"

Local people cheered and waved as the vehicle was reattached to its cab and driven away.

ITV News' Sam Blackledge was at the scene and some told him that it was the "most exciting thing to have happened in Forder for years".

The lorry has been lifted out of Castle Hill by a crane Credit: ITV News

Resident Colin Brown said: "On Monday we started getting messages on our village WhatsApp group.

"We had assumed that they would move it the next day, but it's quite a big operation.

"First of all they had to get 40 tonnes of seeds out (of the lorry), and then of course all the cables are down, there's no power in the village."

Colin added: "It happened before in November 2007. There is a notice at both ends of the village saying 'unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles.'

"I think it should say 'no heavy goods vehicles.' It is a very narrow corner, a right angle corner."

In 2007, a lorry became stuck in the same place and had to be craned out Credit: John Beale

A spokesperson for Boons Bros Transport said: "Unfortunately, one of our drivers took a wrong turn on Monday and ended up stuck on a narrow lane in Forder.

"We are pleased to say the truck has been safely removed with no damage to any nearby properties and is now back on the road.

"We would like to apologise to anyone who has had their journey disrupted during this period and we would like to extend a special thank you to the local villagers who have taken such good care of our driver over the past few days."