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UK :Alex Magaisa cheated death ‘by a whisker’ after M20 bridge collapse

Highways England have confirmed that J2 to J4 in Kent will be closed until at least tomorrow as a result of the incident.

A motorist has revealed how he cheated death “by a whisker” as a collapsed bridge struck two lorries on the M20.

The disaster took place on the motorway which was packed with families heading away for the Bank Holiday this afternoon.

Highways England has confirmed that J2 to J4 in Kent will be closed until at least tomorrow.

 

Motorist Alex Magaisa was driving parallel to the two lorries which were hit when disaster struck.

He wrote on Twitter: “Crazy things happen. One minute all is smooth, but things can change in second. That M20 bridge could easily have fallen right on top of us.

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Alex Magaisa shared his story on Twitter

“We were driving parallel to that truck. I really have no idea how it happened or how we manoeuvred.

“I just drove. No time to think. It was incredible. It could have fallen right on top of our car.

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The incident has caused travel chaos

“Close shave. Only now though it’s beginning to sink in! And it’s scary.

“I’m just lucky to have gone through it. I’m thinking of those affected.

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A motorcycle under the bridge
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Police attempt to help drivers do u-turns

“I’m happy we escaped by a whisker.”

The bridge was hit by a lorry but miraculously no-one was trapped.

Emergency services revealed they were only treating one person who did not have life threatening injuries.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: “It is believed a lorry collided with a pedestrian bridge which has collapsed onto the carriageway below.”

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One person has been injured

She added: “No people are believed to be trapped in the debris, however one person is believed to have suffered injuries, not reported to be life-threatening at this time.”

A pedestrian footbridge has collapsed on a motorway on one of the busiest travel days of the year

It is thought the only victim was a motorcyclist in his 50s who suffered broken ribs.

Traffic was brought to a standstill as emergency services raced to the scene to assess the damage and treat the injured person.

Startled drivers get out of their car to find out what has happened after the bridge came crashing down
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The bridge was seen to come crashing down on the rear end of a lorry

Chilling video footage from a driver on the other side of the carriageway showed how the bridge appeared to have come crashing down on the rear end of an articulated lorry.

Other footage appears to show one large lorry with the length of its trailer sheared off completely.

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Photographs from the scene showed how the bridge came crashing down on one side of the motorway
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One part of the bridge remains standing while the other now lies on one side of the dual carriageway

Highways England’s website warning said: “All emergency services are en-route or in attendance.

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Passers-by and emergency crews raced to help one person feared injured in the accident
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Miraculously, there are not yet any reports of anyone suffering serious injuries
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It is not yet clear what caused the motorway collapse, but police revealed a lorry is thought to have hit it

“Road users are being strongly urged to plan ahead and use alternative routes. The road is expected to be closed for an extended duration.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service tweeted: “On scene of an RTC on the M20 j4 following bridge collapse. Currently dealing with one patient.”

Kent Fire and Rescue added that it had been a “footbridge collapse”.-UK Mirror

 

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