By Neil Pooran
AN INJURED man was trapped for around an hour after a lorry he was driving toppled over at a quarry early this morning (thur).
A 54-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being released from the upturned lorry, which was lying on its side.
A fire service spokeswoman said the lorry was reversing while unloading when it fell over, and firefighters used cutting equipment to free the driver.
The spokeswoman said: “The vehicle was reversing while it was tipping its load.
“Cutting equipment was used to free the occupant.
“The man had back and neck injuries. He was reported to have been unconscious at first though was conscious when firefighters found him. ”
Ambulance crews were the first at the scene, and called in the fire service to free the trapped man from the vehicle, reported to be an 18 tonne lorry.
While making their way to the upturned vehicle at the quarry, firefighters had to ask paramedics for help in locating the vehicle in the quarry, a fire service spokeswoman said.
The accident happened at Hillwood quarry in Newbridge, near Edinburgh.
Emergency services were first called to the scene at 3.37am, and the man was freed by firefighters at 4.40am.
Two engines from Sighthill were called to the scene, as was an engine with special equipment from Newcraighall.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “A 54-year-old male was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He had received traumatic injuries but was breathing and conscious en route to hospital.”
Lothian and Borders police officers also attended the scene.
