Bristol: Firefighters arrive after lorry reversed into harbour

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Photographs show the white HGV submerged rear-first into the water after the collision. The front is still on the raised walkway in a precarious position. Avon Fire are Rescue Service are at the scene but the lorry is “believed to be sinking”.

One resident said they heard a “huge bang and a splash” around 6:30am, describing the scene as “surreal”.

They told Bristol Live: “It must have been about 6.30am. I heard a huge bang and a splash and then someone shouting. It sounded like he was saying, ‘No no no!’ or something.

“My first thought was someone had fallen in the harbour, so I rushed out of the boat to see if he was okay but then I saw a truck in the water. I then saw the driver next to the boat and he looked shocked but wasn’t injured.

“It’s very unusual and surreal seeing something like this so close to your home.”

It is unclear how the collision happened in central Bristol, an area with several bars and restaurants and popular with tourists.

However, filming is believed to have been taking place in the area for a TV drama.

It is, though, unconfirmed whether the HGV is involved in any productions.

Avon Fire and Rescue said in a statement this morning: “Crews were mobilised to reports of a lorry over the side of Bristol Harbour at 07.19am.

“On arrival, crews found one HGV submerged in the water, the driver had already made it to safety.

“The truck is now fully in the docks and believed to be sinking. Nearby boats are being evacuated and cordons are being put in place.

“We currently have three fire appliances, one heavy rescue tender and a boat on the scene and firefighters are currently using two winches in an attempt to secure the lorry.

“The Harbourmaster and Bristol City Council have been informed of the incident. Ambulance crews are also on the scene.”

No one is thought to have been injured in the crash.

The lorry driver is, however, believed to have been shaken.

The harbour, which covers an area of 70 acres, is often called the Floating Harbour as the water level remains constant and it is not affected by the state of the tide on the river in the Avon Gorge.

It was the original Port of Bristol, but as ships and their cargo have increased in size, it has now largely been replaced by docks at nearby Avonmouth and Portbury.

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