Four people trapped after prison van overturns in horror collision

HMP Lewes inmate is seriously injured after prison van taking him to court overturns in horror collision with lorry on dual carriageway in East Sussex leaving four people trapped

  • Major crash 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 a prisoner was seriously injured in the collision
  • Witness says emergency services rescued one man from prison van skylight while another was cut free

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A prisoner was seriously injured this morning after the van transporting him to court collided with a lorry and overturned, leaving four people trapped and debris strewn across a main road.

The major collision took place on the A27 at Lewis in East Sussex at about 11am today, with dramatic photographs showing police and firefighters on the scene working to help those stuck inside.

The 29-year-old man, who is believed to be a prisoner at the nearby HMP Lewes, was injured following the collision involving the van, which was operated by Ministry of Justice contractor GeoAmey.

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

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

‘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.’

And a Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘A man has sustained serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A27 at the Lewes bypass. At 10.55am on Monday, police were called to a crash involving an HGV lorry and a security van transporting a prisoner. 

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 29-year-old man is reported to have suffered serious injuries in the collision. Rescue and recovery work continues at the location.

‘The road is currently closed in both directions between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts. Traffic is severely gridlocked in the area and is expected to remain so until later this afternoon.’

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.

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