A FULLY-LOADED timber lorry tipped over while exiting a forestry site.

The vehicle overturned when the edge of the road gave way after the driver stopped to assess the route, which wasn't suitable for timber haulage. 

An investigation found the driver hadn’t been provided with sufficient information about the site, and recent work on the road left it appearing clearer and more frequently used at the junction.

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The lorry was recovered by a professional recovery team and environmental damage from spilt fluids minimised.

An incident bulletin read: "A route unsuitable for timber haulage had been taken. Once it became clear the route was unsuitable the driver stopped to assess the situation, which was the correct course of action.

"Whilst stopped the weight of the loaded vehicle caused the edge of the road to give way and the lorry tipped onto its side." 

No information has been released about the driver's condition or the location of the incident. 

In an update, Tilhill officials said the learning points from the episode are: 

  • Timber haulage drivers must be provided with adequate maps that clearly show the approved route from the highway to the site and out.
  • Drivers must be able to understand the maps issued to them.
  • Haul routes must be maintained in a suitable and safe condition.
  • On long or complex haul routes consider directional signage.

 Tilhill’s Just Culture model of accident investigation was used to probe the event.