Dramatic video footage shows the moment a lorry smashed into a railway bridge near Chester.
The HGV is captured driving towards the bridge on Whitchurch Road in Beeston at around midday on Thurday.
The vehicle does not appear to slow down or stop before striking the bridge.
It then became wedged at a 45 degree angle.
Trains had to be temporarily halted on the Crewe-Chester line while a Network Rail structural engineer checked the bridge was safe.
The incident prompted Network Rail to reiterate its ‘wise up, size up’ message to drivers of all high vehicles.
Phil James, head of operations for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “Drivers need to know the height of their vehicle, not guess. In short: Wise up, size up.
“Dangerous incidents like this one at Tarporley cause huge inconvenience to train passengers and to motorists, not to mention the cost to the taxpayer. The really galling thing is they’re all entirely avoidable. Roadside signage is provided to warn motorists on the height of our bridges.”
Network Rail said they will be pursuing a claim for the cost of the incident at Tarporley through the haulage firm’s insurers.
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