Two men rescued from Rufford van crash by jogging police officers

The overturned van on Rufford Lane.
The overturned van on Rufford Lane.

Two men trapped in the cab of an overturned van by a Rufford Country Park blackspot were rescued by jogging policewomen.

TThe crash happened at around 9.15am yesterday a after a Mercedes Sprinter van skidded on ice after leaving the water splash on Rufford Lane.

Two jogging women used a stepladder from a nearby property to help the van driver and passenger climb from the cab. Both were checked by paramedics but escaped uninjured, although both suffered shock.

The incident happened just three weeks after a lorry skidded at the same spot and ploughed through a garden fence, uprooting concrete posts that prevented it going in to the next cottage on the well-used country lane.

Angry residents say they have campaigned for 30 years for gritting or salting to be carried out at the danger spot.

Rufford water splash is the top accident site nationally for the number of emergency call outs it receives.

A police spokesman said the road was still closed yesterday afternoon due to ice and urged drivers to drive carefully.

Firefighters were also called to the scene to help make the vehicle safe and to clear the road.