A lorry carrying liquid concrete toppled over after the ground gave way - leaving the vehicle's 30ft arm resting on a building site.

Passers-by watched in amazement as the lorry tilted gradually as the pavement collapsed under a rear stabilising leg.

The vehicle was stopped from completely falling when the giant arm connected to the lorry came to a rest just yards from where nine builders were working.

One worker said he felt lucky to be alive.

No one was hurt and the area was immediately evacuated after the incident in Crescent Road, Worthing, at about 10.30am today.

It happened next to the site of Kim's Bookshop, which closed last year. Flats are now being built on the plot of land.

Sam Bilkhu, a carpenter working on the site, said it was lucky no one was injured.

He said: "I was standing behind the truck and saw cracks forming in the ground. Then the truck began tilting and the arm moved. For a split second I thought 'That's it' as the arm swung over.

"I thought it would come down on me. Then it touched down on one of the buildings. I feel lucky to be alive."

The accident is thought to have occurred when the pavement outside the building site buckled under the weight of the vehicle.

A site spokesman said he did not think it was caused by today's strong wind.

Henri Hourquet, owner of restaurant La Difference in Crescent Road, saw the vehicle as it began to tilt.

He said: "I was just coming in to work when I saw it. The cabin at the front lifted and a man got out.

"I heard another man shouting to get all the workmen off the building site.

"Then every so often it would tilt a bit further until it stopped."

A section of road was closed at the junction with Montague Street because of fears the road could buckle again.

It remained closed for several hours until a crane was brought in to lift the lorry out.

The road closure angered owners of nearby businesses who said it had affected trade.

Gary Heathfield, who owns the Shorely Scrumptious cafe, in Crescent Road, said: "I'm glad no one was hurt but it's killed our trade.

"The police are discouraging people from going down this road so we've been empty most of the day."

Mr Hourquet had similar problems in his restaurant. He said: "I've been here more than 20 years and this is the worst it's been on record.

"People are ringing up to cancel bookings because they cannot get through in their cars."

Argus reader Les Heal emailed us a picture of the toppled over van after spotting the incident.

Site owners Grenville Homes Group were unavailable for comment.

See a video report of the incident here..

Send us your pictures

Start your message with SUPIC (or type SUPIC into the subject line), telling us who you are and where you are from, and providing a brief description of your picture. Then find your picture and send it to 80360.

You will receive a confirmation message that we have received your contribution.

Texts are FREE but you may incur your normal charge from your mobile phone operator.

Save this number to your mobile address book NOW so the next time you find yourself in the middle of a breaking news story you know where to send your pictures.

Or you can email us your photos.

Simply download your images from your camera or mobile phone and send them as attachments. Please add a brief description of what's happening in your photos.

With all email messages, make sure you include your name and address as we always like to credit people who send anything into us which we use.