Man dies after crane overturns and collides with van on A37

A37 in Somerset. <i>(Image: Google Maps)</i>
A37 in Somerset. (Image: Google Maps)
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A MAN in his thirties has died after a lorry with a crane overturned and collided with a van on a major A-road in Somerset.

Emergency services were called to respond to a serious incident on the A37 in Ston Easton involving a lorry with a crane which overturned yesterday afternoon and collided with a van at around 2.25pm on Thursday, August 20.

As a result, the road was closed in both directions, with the High Street also closed. 

In a new update provided by the police this morning, they confirmed a man has died.

According to the police, the man who died was a passenger in the van.

His family have been informed and are being supported by a specially-trained officer.

The van driver has attended hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening and the lorry driver is not believed to have sustained any physical injuries.

The A37 and high street remains shut while complex recovery work and highway repairs will take place.

Police said the closure could remain in place for 'some time'.

A police spokesperson said: "A man in his thirties has died following a two-vehicle collision on the A37 at Ston Easton yesterday (Thursday 20 August).

"A lorry, with a crane attached, overturned at about 2.25pm and collided with a van.

"Sadly, a passenger within the van has died at the scene. His family have been informed and they are being supported by a specially-trained officer.

"The van driver has attended hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

"The lorry driver is not believed to have sustained any physical injury.

"The A37 High Street has been closed overnight to allow collision investigation work to be completed and will need to remain shut for some time further due to the complex recovery work required and likely repairs needed to the highway.

Witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage that may assist police enquiries, are asked to contact the police online or on 101 quoting the reference number 5226235326.

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 14:33hrs on Thursday 20 August to a road traffic collision near Midsomer Norton.

"We sent a double-crewed land ambulance, an air ambulance and an operations officer to the scene.

"We conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Royal United Hospital.”

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