Trapped road sweeper driver released and taken to hospital

Crews from Cleckheaton, Wakefield and Ossett rushed to the incident at Silkwood Business Park in Mothers Way at around 8.15am this morning (Thursday).

Cleckheaton firefighter Nigel Godsman said that as the man drove the HGV vehicle ground had given way.

Ossett crew commander Shaun Rowley said: “He ended up driving over a ledge with possibly a 10 foot drop. It tipped over and he was trapped, unable to release himself.”

The sweeper landed on its roof and a technical rescue vehicle had to be used to get him out.

He was released through the passenger window and placed on a longboard.

The man, thought to be in his fifties, was then taken to hospital with suspected back and spinal injuries.

It is thought the site is being used to store vehicles being used to carry out roadworks on the M1.