Four killed in tipper truck crash

Four people have died, four are in hospital and several others have been injured after a tipper truck collided with vehicles and pedestrians on a hill, police said.

Officers are investigating the “devastating, tragic and awful” incident, which happened in Lansdown Lane in Upper Weston in Bath, Somerset, just after 4pm today.

A tipper truck carrying aggregate collided with a number of vehicles and two pedestrians as it travelled down the steep hill.

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, close to a busy primary school, and one casualty, believed to be female, was airlifted to Southmead hospital, Bristol in a “critical” condition.

Three further casualties – two men and one woman – were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath with “minor” injuries.

Several “walking wounded” are being assessed and treated at a makeshift facility at a nearby school.

Early witness reports given to police suggest the driver of the tipper truck, who is believed to have been injured, was trying to avert an accident.

Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, described the incident as “obviously devastating, tragic and awful”.

“The community is in shock, both for the families of those killed and also those who have been affected,” Mr Foster said.

“We are still waiting to get more details as to what the cause was. It is obviously devastating, tragic and awful, but until we know more we cannot speculate.”

Mr Foster said the council had imposed 20mph speed restrictions on parts of the road in a bid to improve safety.

“It is a road where we have put speed limits in and flashing lights because it is quite a steep hill coming down,” he added.

“There have been attempts by the council over the years to improve safety on the road.”

Avon and Somerset Police, who are investigating the tragedy, have asked for Weston All Saints Primary School to close tomorrow.

Motorists have been urged to avoid the Lansdown Lane area between the High Street and Deanhill Lane, which will remain closed by police.

A force spokesman said: “Four people have died at the scene and there are several people injured.

“Casualties are being taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

“We’re working with South Western Ambulance Service and Avon Fire and Rescue Service at the scene.

“The area is closed off to allow for investigative work to take place.”

A spokeswoman for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said four people had been taken to hospital.

“We can confirm that we have taken one patient by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital in Bristol,” she said.

“That patient was in a critical condition. Three patients have been taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

“There were two air ambulances at the scene, five ambulances, three paramedics in rapid response vehicles and a BASICS doctor.

“A number of people with less serious injuries are being assessed and treated at a nearby facility. They are described as walking wounded.”

Chris Lucas, a Liberal Democrat campaigner, took a photograph of the two air ambulances landing at the school playing field shortly after the crash.

“My children were coming home and as I opened the front door my neighbour said ‘Oh my God there has been a crash, I’m going to call the emergency services’,” Mr Lucas said.

“We didn’t know at that point how bad it was. I didn’t see the accident itself, I saw two helicopters landing in the field but there were several buzzing around.

“One thing that is really concerning is that road is on the school pick-up run. Weston All Saints Primary School is right next to it.

“All fatalities are awful but I am praying there are no children involved. It is a very tight community here and one of my children goes to that school.

“My thoughts go to everyone involved.”

A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset Council confirmed that the school would be closed tomorrow at the request of police.

“Due to the tragic accident on Lansdown Lane this evening, the police have asked that Weston All Saints Primary be closed tomorrow,” he said.

A spokesman for the Royal United Hospital in Bath said the three patients treated there had minor injuries.

“As a precaution, one adult male and one adult female are being kept in overnight,” he said.

“The third person, an adult male, is being discharged.”

Four killed in tipper truck crash