A lorry ploughed into the toilet block of a pub and severely damaged the building, although miraculously nobody was seriously injured in the crash.  

Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and ambulance attended the scene at the popular Fox and Hounds pub on the B2112 in Fox Hill, Haywards Heath, at 1.14pm yesterday.

Emergency services closed off the road which was affected by a large oil spillage. 

Nobody was trapped inside the vehicle.

The emergency services reported that 20 per cent of the entire building was seriously damaged by the crash.

The lorry driver was treated at the scene but it is believed he did not sustain any serious injuries and did not require hospital treatment. 

Pub manager Mark Ellis said last night: “The ladies toilets are completely gone, but the gents is intact as is the pub itself.

“Staff and customers were in at the time and obviously they were very shocked but it is a relief no one was injured.

“The pub will be closed tonight. The extent of the damage will be assessed in the morning and we are hoping we will be able to open again later on tomorrow.” 

Mid Sussex District Council building control officers and UK Power staff members were called to the scene to ensure the building was safe.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “At 1.14pm on Wednesday, May 2, a lorry was reported to have crashed into the Fox and Hounds public house on the B2112 at Fox Hill, Haywards Heath, near its junction with Hurstwood Lane.

“The lorry driver was reported to have been injured, but the extent of injury is not known. 

“No other casualties were reported.

“The collision closed the road, which was also affected by a large oil spillage as a result of the crash.

“Police, fire and ambulance were in attendance.”

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were called by ambulance shortly after 1pm involving a lorry crashing into a building.

“Two fire engines from Haywards Heath and Crawley, and a technical rescue unit attended the building.

“There was extensive damage to the structure, with 20 per cent of the building severely damaged.

“There was one casualty who was treated by the ambulance crew at the scene of the accident. 

“There was a diesel spill from the lorry but that was cleared up very quickly.

“The building was made safe at 3.49pm. 

“We handed the incident over to police to make the road safe, and to recover the vehicle.”

A South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) spokesman said: “A patient was assessed at the scene.

“However, the patient did not require hospital treatment.”

The pub is popular, serving traditional beers and a variety of food.
Although nobody else was injured, the pub was open at the time the accident occurred.