Hildenborough man dies in Sussex lorry crash
20:00, 06 March 2015
updated: 20:04, 06 March 2015
A Kent man has died in a crash involving two lorries in Sussex.
Police have called for witnesses to the accident on the A27 in which the 49-year-old Hildenborough man died.
Four vehicles were involved in the collision, which happened yesterday at about 11.45am between Polegate and Lewes near the junction with Folkington Lane.
A white and blue 41-tonne Renault articulated lorry travelling west overturned, crushing a black Volvo V60 travelling east beneath it.
A red and white Iveco lorry travelling east ahead of the Volvo took evasive action but its load of scaffolding struck a Volkswagen Transporter people carrier travelling west behind the articulated lorry.
"This incident has tragically proved fatal. It has been particularly complex, with specialist equipment having to be brought in to right the overturned lorry as part of the investigation" - Sergeant Dan Pitcher
The driver of the Volvo, a 49-year-old man from Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, Kent, died at the scene.
The driver of the articulated lorry, a 53-year-old man from Wiltshire, suffered slight injuries.
He was treated at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
The driver of the scaffolding lorry, a 45-year-old Eastbourne man, and the driver of the VW Transporter, a 46-year-old woman from Wadhurst, were unhurt.
Two passengers in the VW, a 39-year-old woman from Norway and a 27-year-old man from the USA, were also unhurt.
The A27 being closed between Polegate and the Drusillas roundabout at Alfriston until just before midnight.
A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released on bail until May 27.
Sergeant Dan Pitcher, of Surrey and Sussex road policing unit, said: "This incident has tragically proved fatal. It has been particularly complex, with specialist equipment having to be brought in to right the overturned lorry as part of the investigation.
"I am keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who saw any of the vehicles involved being driven in the minutes before the collision. If you know anything at all, please contact us."
Anyone with information should email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Bourton.