A LORRY driver was in a “serious” condition in hospital last night after a horror crash.
The man, in his 60s, was flown to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after his wagon loaded with paper overturned on the busy Elland bypass.
Thankfully, no other drivers were hurt – even though the crash brought down two lamp-posts across the carriageway.
The trapped driver was treated by paramedics as fire crews worked for 30 minutes to free him.
Police closed the road from Ainley Top to Copley for several hours and many drivers were caught up in traffic jams.
Buses, too, were diverted through Ainley Top and Elland to avoid the blocked road.
The lorry crashed shortly after 1pm on the Huddersfield-bound carriageway and ended up straddling the central reservation.
But the barrier stopped it crashing head-on into traffic on the other carriageway.
Fire Commander Andy Marshall, who led the rescuers, said: “His arm was bleeding heavily and paramedics and a doctor were concerned and trying to stabilise him.
“We managed to get him out via the driver’s front window after about 30 minutes.”
