THE driver of a 41-tonne articulated lorry has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a crash which left a man dead on the A27.

The collision on the A27 between Polegate and Lewes near the junction with Folkington Lane left a 49-year-old man dead.

Four vehicles were involved in the collision which happened at about 11.45am on Thursday.

 

A white and blue 41-tonne Renault articulated lorry travelling west overturned, crushing a black Volvo V60 travelling east beneath it.

A red and white Iveco lorry travelling east ahead of the Volvo took evasive action but its load of scaffolding struck a Volkswagen Transporter people carrier travelling west behind the articulated lorry.

The driver of the Volvo, a 49-year-old man from Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, Kent, died at the scene.

The driver of the articulated lorry, a 53-year-old man from Wiltshire, suffered slight injuries. He was treated at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton but not detained.

The driver of the scaffolding lorry, a 45-year-old Eastbourne man, and the driver of the VW Transporter, a 46-year-old woman from Wadhurst, were unhurt. Two passengers in the VW, a 39-year-old woman from Norway and a 27-year-old man from the USA, were also unhurt.

The incident led to the A27 being closed between Polegate and the Drusillas roundabout at Alfriston until shortly before midnight.

A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was since been released on bail until 27 May.

Sergeant Dan Pitcher, of Surrey and Sussex road policing unit, said: "This incident has tragically proved fatal. It has been particularly complex, with specialist equipment having to be brought in to right the overturned lorry as part of the investigation.

"I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding as there were many who suffered long delays as we investigated what had happened and made the area safe.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who saw any of the vehicles involved being driven in the minutes before the collision. If you know anything at all, please contact us."

Anyone with information should email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Bourton.