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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Cathy Owen

Severn Bridge re-opens as lorry blown over in the wind is removed

A lorry has been removed from the old Severn Bridge crossing nearly two days after it overturned in high winds.

The bridge re-opened in both directions in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Just one lane remains closed eastbound to allow for emergency repairs to be carried out. One lane is also closed westbound because winds remain high and there is a speed restriction of 40mph on the M48 bridge.

At 4.30am, the operators of the bridge said: "The eastbound carriageway has now been re-opened. Lane one is still closed but traffic can pass in Lane two. Please drive carefully and obey signage. Thank you for your patience."

Both carriageways are blocked as a result (Richard Swingler)
(Richard Swingler)

Shocking video footage showing the moment a lorry overturned has emerged.

The articulated vehicle  blew over onto its side following a "sudden spike" of wind during Storm Ciara at around 11.45am on Monday morning.

CCTV footage filmed from a bridge tower shows the lorry moving towards the English border when it topples over onto its left-hand side, falling dangerously close to the edge of the bridge.

The driver, who had been travelling along the M48 bridge from  Chepstow to Avonmouth in Bristol, escaped with only minor head injuries.

The fiancé of the lorry driver, who did not want to be named, said he suffered "two minor fractures to the head" and was left "a bit bruised" - but was at home recovering.

She said: "He just felt the wind pick up and saw the trailer start to tip over so he steered into the middle as much as he could to avoid the edge of the bridge."

The forecast is for the winds to calm down before Wales is hit by Storm Dennis on the weekend.

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