The shoulder between the Hoofdweg Oostzijde and the water of the Hoofdvaart looks badly damaged in photos. That’s no surprise, as the truck appears to have driven into the canal at full speed.
A spokesperson for BUKO, the construction and transport company to which the truck belongs, explains how the accident happened: “The driver had to swerve to avoid an oncoming car, and a wheel ended up on the side of the road. He was completely shocked.”
The truck was driving off the Hoofdvaart on the driver’s side when it went wrong, and that may well have been life-saving. The truck ended up on its right side at the bottom of the canal, leaving the driver’s side sticking out above the water.
Just a wet suit
The driver escaped relatively well, says a police spokesperson: “Apart from a wet suit, the driver escaped unscathed. The trauma helicopter that was called was able to turn around again.” The driver was found not to be under the influence after a drug and alcohol test.
A salvage company now has to get the truck weighing tens of tons out of the Hoofdvaart. The police cannot say at this time how long this will take. BUKO uses a specialized company. There is also damage to the asphalt and the verge itself, which will be repaired as quickly as possible.
Tags: Truck enters Hoofdvaart Lijnden driver escapes wet suit
