Man arrested after A27 collision involving prison van

A man has been arrested following a serious collision on the A27 that caused a prison van to overturn.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The collision happened on the Lewes bypass at just before 11am on Monday (August 10).

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “At 10.55am on Monday (August 10), police were called to a crash involving an HGV lorry and a broken down security van transporting a prisoner.

“All three occupants of the security van suffered injuries.

Emergency services at the scene in LewesEmergency services at the scene in Lewes
Emergency services at the scene in Lewes
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The prisoner – a 29-year-old man – sustained a head injury and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

“The van driver – a 45-year-old man suffered whiplash injuries. The prison escort – a 30-year-old man – suffered serious injuries.

“The lorry driver – a 58-year-old man from Seaford – was also injured and has been discharged from hospital. He has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and released under investigation while enquiries are ongoing.”

The road was shut between Eastbourne and Brighton for several hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Emergency services at the scene in LewesEmergency services at the scene in Lewes
Emergency services at the scene in Lewes
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pictures taken showed a number of ambulances and fire engines at the scene and long queues of standstill traffic.

Detective Inspector Sue Neilson from the Serious Collision Investigations Unit said: “This was a serious crash in which several people were injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances.

“We continue to appeal to speak to anyone who witnessed what happened. If you have dash-cam footage of the collision, or of the broken down security van prior to the crash please report it to us.”

Anyone who witnessed what happened is urged to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101, quoting Operation Onyx.

Emergency services at the scene in LewesEmergency services at the scene in Lewes
Emergency services at the scene in Lewes

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.