A driver had to be cut free from the wreckage of his vehicle after a van overturned on the A38 Devon Expressway this morning, Tuesday, December 31. Police and fire crews were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on the A38 near the Drumbridges Interchange around 5.30am.
Firefighters attended the scene and found a van on its side with one person in the vehicle. Crews worked to cut the man free from the wreckage during the rescue operation.
Once free, he was left in the care of the ambulance service. It is not thought that he sustained serious injuries in the crash.
The A38 westbound was closed for a number of hours this morning as a result. National Highways warned motorists a diversion was in place while emergency services were at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called just before 5.30am today, 31 December, following a single vehicle collision on the A38 near Drumbridges.
“The van overturned and ended up on its side on the southbound carriageway. Fire and ambulance also attended.
“The male driver managed to get out of the vehicle and was checked over by ambulance before being taken to hospital. He is not believed to be seriously injured. The A38 was closed southbound. One lane reopened around 6.30am.”
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue also said: “Fire Control received calls reporting a road traffic collision involving a van with a person still within the vehicle and mobilised crews from Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.
“On arrival crews confirmed that one vehicle was on its side with one male still within the vehicle. Crews worked to gain entry to the vehicle using small tools, one hose reel jet, stabilisation blocks, a thermal imaging camera and a ladder.
“Crews made the vehicle safe and released one adult male using small tools and hydraulic cutting equipment who was then left in the care of the Ambulance service.”