Diners flee after lorry ploughs through front of restaurant

Apr 30 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

MORE than 40 diners at a Lanarkshire restaurant fled for their lives on Monday afternoon when an articulated lorry ploughed into the building.

The incident happened at the Toby Carvery Strathclyde Park after the 57-year-old driver of the lorry collapsed at the wheel.

The lorry was travelling down the A725, Bogs Brae, towards the Raith Interchange, at about 2.20pm when it went out of control.

The lorry and its trailer careered up an embankment and ploughed through the carvery’s car park before crashing into the front of the restaurant.

Diners were quickly evacuated from the restaurant and police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene.

Fire and Rescue appliances from Hamilton and Easterhouse community fire station were called to the incident.

The driver of the lorry was taken to Monklands Hospital but died a short time later.

A woman diner suffered a minor leg injury after she was hit by debris from the restaurant wall.

A spokesman for the Toby Carvery said: “We are all still shocked by the accident and are continuing to assist police with their enquiries.

“At the time of the accident we quickly and safely evacuated the restaurant and called the emergency services who then took control of the situation.

“Thankfully the impact of the crash was in an area of the restaurant that was not in full use and therefore not busy with customers which has helped to minimise harm.”

Structural engineers were this week at the restaurant to assess the full extent of the damage.

Restaurant bosses hoped to reopen most of the building for trade later this week.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “A post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death however it is believed at this time that the driver became unwell prior to the vehicle crashing into the building.

“A female diner was treated for minor injuries and there was damage to three vehicles that were parked within the car park of the restaurant.

“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

For film footage of the incident log onto the Hamilton Advertiser’s website at http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/

lWere you having dinner when the lorry hit? Telephone the Hamilton Advertiser on 01698 205165 or email sbartynek@s-un.co.uk