'There was this massive bang, like thunder' - Eyewitness describes scene as lorry crashes into electricity substation in Sheffield

An eyewitness described the terrifying moment a lorry came off the road and crashed into a electricity substation.
The lorry which hit the electricity substation. Picture Marisa Cashill/The StarThe lorry which hit the electricity substation. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
The lorry which hit the electricity substation. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star

Emergency services were called at around 11.35am to Penistone Road outside the Starlight bathroom centre after a lorry carrying rubble left the road and veered into the structure narrowly missing the shop window.

The lorry, which came to an abrupt stop after hitting stationary cars at Martin Lee Car Sales, also knocked over two metal road bollards. The man's injuries are not thought to be serious.

Emergency services on the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The StarEmergency services on the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
Emergency services on the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
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Fire fighters made provisions for the driver to get out and was promptly checked over by paramedics who later took him to Northern General Hospital.

Two ambulances, four fire crews and several police vehicles attended the scene. Council workers arrived shortly after to secure the pavement.

An air ambulance was called but was stood down.

Power to surrounding businesses including the Morrisons supermarket went down.

Mark Smedley rushed to the aid of the lorry driver. Picture Marisa Cashill/The StarMark Smedley rushed to the aid of the lorry driver. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
Mark Smedley rushed to the aid of the lorry driver. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star

Northern Powergrid said the crash affected 55 properties in the Owerlton area.

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Mark Smedley, 35, of Walkley works at Riverside Dismantlers just around the corner and heard the loud crash.

“I was just about to pull my car out to get some dinner when it happened,” Mark said.

“I was just heading out and there was this massive bang, like thunder.

Emergency services inspect the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The StarEmergency services inspect the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
Emergency services inspect the scene. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star

“It shook me up and I raced round to see what had gone off. I was so shocked, It was unbelievable.

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“There was a nurse attending to the driver but he seemed to be talking okay. I rang 999 not long after that.

“If I had set off a little bit earlier I could’ve ended up in that wall - I’m lucky to be fair. I hope the driver is okay.”

A Northern Powergrid spokesman said: “We were notified of an incident involving a vehicle hitting our substation on Penistone Road at around noon today. We immediately dispatched a team of engineers to the area to investigate whilst our control room ensured power supplies were isolated.

Northern Powergrid workers were called as the crash cut power to 55 properties including Morrisons supermarket. Picture Marisa Cashill/The StarNorthern Powergrid workers were called as the crash cut power to 55 properties including Morrisons supermarket. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star
Northern Powergrid workers were called as the crash cut power to 55 properties including Morrisons supermarket. Picture Marisa Cashill/The Star

“We’ve already restored power to 13 customers and we’re working to get the power back on for most of the remaining customers by 8:00pm this evening, which involves excavation work and the installation of temporary generators.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience whilst we work to get the power back on.”