A contract tanker driver was travelling on the A515 when he lost control of the back end of the vehicle and it rolled over, skidding along the road and colliding with another vehicle.  It is believed the movement on the back end of the vehicle was caused by catching the soft verge, and when the driver attempted to steer away from the verge this caused the vehicle to destabilise and tip over.

The Emergency services attended the incident and the driver was cut from the vehicle. The driver sustained cuts and grazing to his arm and was taken to hospital where he received 24 stitches in his right arm and was released 5 hours later.

An investigation confirmed the following:

• The driver was wearing his seatbelt which saved him from more serious injury or even death.
• The driver was travelling at 32mph, well within the 50mph limit when the accident occurred.
• Weather conditions were poor with heavy rain and fog patches
• The driver was not using his mobile phone
• The driver had recently completed the MPQC Site Safety Awareness course which covers soft verge / rollover risk

• Remind drivers to wear their seatbelt…This helped avoid serious injuries in this incident.


• Drive to the weather conditions not to the speed limit; travelling significantly lower then the limit reduced the severity of this incident.


• Consider whether alternative routes are available that avoid known local hazard spots.


• Confirm Driver inductions make specific reference to known hazards, such as soft verges in this case.


• Liaise with local councils as appropriate to see if road improvements can be made.