Drivers heading north on the M5 at midday last Friday (1 August) had a narrow escape after a John Coles tipper truck, travelling in the opposite direction, smashed through the central reservation barrier and careered down the fast lane.
Peter Stone, 55, from Berkshire, narrowly avoided colliding with the lorry, which came rocketing towards him as he travelled northbound on the M25, between junction 28 and junction 29 of the M25, near Cullompton.
Stone swerved into the middle lane, with only seconds to spare, as the lorry hurtled down the fast lane towards him.
He told news agency SWNS: “It literally came out of nowhere. I think I had less than two seconds to move before getting flattened by the tipper driver.
He added: “It was just a reflex reaction really. I’m very surprised no-one actually smashed into the truck.”
Stone, who has an HGV licence himself and operates a fleet of trucks for a waste company had recorded the incident on his dashcam but checked with John Coles Contractors before sharing it.
He explained: “I did speak to the transport company because I wanted to make sure no-one was injured before offering to share the footage.
“I pulled over straight away and called 999, assuming there was going to be some serious injuries.
“Fortunately, as far as I’m aware, no one was injured - which is quite remarkable.”
Police and ambulance services attended the scene of the crash, with the motorway left closed in both directions for just over an hour.
National Highways has confirmed there were no serious injuries reported following the crash.
Repairs were carried out overnight and the road reopened at around 3.30am on Saturday morning.
MT contacted North Devon-based John Coles Contractors . The company declined to comment, explaining it was still investigating the incident.
