HE COULD have died when his truck flipped over on the A14 - now driver Andrew Darby is hailing the fantastic work of those who rallied to save him.The 58-year-old from Kent was rushed into Ipswich Hospital last Tuesday when the 40ft truck he was driving overturned.

By Jessica Nicholls

HE COULD have died when his truck flipped over on the A14 - now driver Andrew Darby is hailing the fantastic work of those who rallied to save him.

The 58-year-old from Kent was rushed into Ipswich Hospital last Tuesday when the 40ft truck he was driving overturned.

His container he was carrying from Felixstowe Port had skidded across the westbound outside lane at Trimley and swung back before overturning.

Traffic had to be diverted along the Trimley sliproad and the road was closed off while the crash barrier was repaired.

With a ruptured spleen, fluid on his lungs and six broken ribs, Mr Darby was taken into intensive care.

He said: "I had a nurse with me for 24 hours a day.

"They moved me to a single room then and anything I want I only have to ask and I get it.

"Everyone is so good here – you just cannot ask for better treatment."

He is now being treated on Stradbroke Ward.

Mr Darby has been a truck driver for more than 30 years and lived for a time in Holland.

He said: "The treatment was adequate over there but it has been absolutely outstanding here.

"It is better than any private hospital – nurses, doctors and auxiliary staff, nothing is too much trouble for them."

The grandfather of 12 said he can remember little of what actually happened during the accident.

He said: "They said it was touch and go for me.

"I don't remember anything apart from waking up on the road and seeing lots of people bending over me.

"They got me to the emergency department really quickly."

His condition is better than it was, but he is still short of breath and is not completely better.

Mr Darby said he is not sure yet when he will be able to leave the hospital and go back to Kent.

He said: "They don't want me to go just yet.

"They had to drain some more fluid from my lungs today and so they don't want to release me to go back to my own house until they are absolutely sure I am OK.

"But I am in the best place with the best treatment I could ask for."