Lorry making turn smashes Longwood warehouse - picture

Jan 6 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mill Damage

WORKERS at a Longwood mill had a lucky escape after a lorry knocked down a lamp- post and sent it crashing into the side of the building.

Bosses at Eldon Electricals face a repair bill running into thousands of pounds after part of the warehouse at Springfield Mills was demolished in the incident yesterday lunchtime.

An eyewitness said the lorry was trying to negotiate a tight turn left from Royd Street into Dale Street when it hit the lamp-post which fell across the road and struck the corner of the mill building.

Eldon Electricals’ company secretary Michelle Copeland said: “The junction is far too tight because it is only a tiny little crossroads, but the driver has decided he is going to go for it anyway.

“He has run straight into the lamp-post, snapped it in half and that has hit the corner of our warehouse. It has left a gaping hole which means people can look straight in and see our stock. Some of the breeze blocks have also fallen into the warehouse.

“Luckily, all seven staff were in the office side of the building. We are moving everything away from that part of the warehouse, but it means someone will have to stay as long as it takes to make the building secure.”