Trucker speaks of traumatic crash

A LORRY driver today told of his narrow escape after he was thrown across his cab when his lorry overturned on a country road.

Ipswich grandfather Lenny Godbold was recovering at home today after suffering injuries in the accident which left his 44-tonne vehicle lying on its side in a ditch.

The 57-year-old was nursing cuts to his back and elbow and a nasty gash to a finger following the crash, which happened just before 8am on Tuesday on Kenton Road at Debenham.

The married grandfather-of-four was taken to Ipswich Hospital but is now recovering at home.

Mr Godbold, of Sandpiper Road, said: “It was a bit of a blind corner but my truck is big enough so that I can normally see what cars are coming around the corner.

“A car appeared out of nowhere and my initial reaction was 'oh my God, I'm going to hit him'. I just swerved over to the side.

“I thought we'd got past each other. I was trying to keep on the road but there was nothing I could do.

“I looked back and I could see my trailer toppling. It happened so fast I didn't have time to be terrified.”

Mr Godbold, who has been driving trucks for more than three decades, was thrown across his cab in the accident and suffered the gash to his finger when his wedding ring was ripped off as he fell across the cab.

“I'm lucky I've still got a finger,” he said.

“I'm mighty sore and I can't move on my left hand side.”

Today the veteran trucker and grandfather-of-four sent a message of thanks to two drivers who stopped and helped him after the accident.

Any witnesses to the crash should call Debenham police station on 01473 613500.

Did you witness this accident? Were you one of the drivers who helped out? Have you had a similar brush with death? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.