Four people trapped after prison van overturns in horror collision

Four people are trapped including inmate after prison van overturns in horror collision with lorry on dual carriageway near HMP Lewes in East Sussex

  • Major collision between prison van and lorry on A27 near Lewis Prison in East Sussex at 11am this morning
  • Prison van was operated by contractor GeoAmey and one of the four people trapped is said to be a prisoner
  • Witness says emergency services rescued one man from prison van skylight while another was cut free

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Four people were trapped today after a prison van and lorry collided, leaving debris strewn across a main road.

Dramatic photographs showed police and firefighters on the scene working to help those stuck inside the vehicles following the major collision on the A27 near Lewis Prison in East Sussex at about 11am today.

The van was operated by Ministry of Justice contractor GeoAmey, and one of the four people is believed to be a prisoner.

Dramatic photographs show police and firefighters working to help those stuck inside the prison van on the A27 this morning

The crash between the lorry and prison van this morning left the van overturned as firefighters had to cut free the occupants

The crash between the lorry and prison van this morning left the van overturned as firefighters had to cut free the occupants

Emergency crews responded today after the major collision on the A27 near Lewis Prison in East Sussex at about 11am today

Emergency crews responded today after the major collision on the A27 near Lewis Prison in East Sussex at about 11am today

Sussex Police said the A27 road has been closed today in both directions between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts

Sussex Police said the A27 road has been closed today in both directions between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts

Witness Melanie Beck told the Sussex Express: ‘The driver of the lorry looks to have walked away unhurt. 

‘Paramedics are working on a man rescued from the skylight of the prison van. Another had to be cut free from the vehicle. More and more emergency services are arriving.’  

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called at 10.59am to attend a road traffic collision involving one HGV and one van on A27 Lewes Bypass.

‘Crews from Battle, Uckfield, Seaford, Lewes and Preston Circus are currently in attendance. Four people were reported trapped. Three have been extricated and crews are working on extricating the fourth.’

Fire crews were called at 10.59am this morning to the collision involving the lorry and the prison van on the A27

Fire crews were called at 10.59am this morning to the collision involving the lorry and the prison van on the A27 

Emergency rescue workers try to free those trapped inside the prison van following the crash in East Sussex this afternoon

Emergency rescue workers try to free those trapped inside the prison van following the crash in East Sussex this afternoon

The lorry involved in the crash near Lewes this morning was operated by civil engineering contractors Edburton

The lorry involved in the crash near Lewes this morning was operated by civil engineering contractors Edburton

Fire crews arrived at the scene this morning to help with the rescue effort on the A27 in East Sussex

Fire crews arrived at the scene this morning to help with the rescue effort on the A27 in East Sussex

The crash caused the main road to be closed in both directions with emergency services descending on the scene

The crash caused the main road to be closed in both directions with emergency services descending on the scene

A Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘We are currently dealing with a road traffic collision on the A27 at the Lewes bypass. The road is closed in both directions between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts.’

A GeoAmey spokesman said: ‘A GeoAmey secure escort van has been involved in an incident on the A27 in Sussex near the Kingston roundabout this morning. Emergency services are currently on the scene.’

The Ministry of Justice directed requests for comment to GeoAmey. MailOnline has also contacted civil engineering contractors Edburton, which operated the lorry.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk