AN accident in which a JCB plunged off the back of a lorry onto a car after the truck unsucessfully tried to negotiate a low bridge is being investigated by police.

Remarkably no-one in the car was injured but the incident created traffic mayhem with huge tail-backs.

It happened around 3.30pm on Thursday (Dec 17) when two JCBs were being transported on a low-loader along the A429 near Malmesbury.

The driver of the lorry misjudged the height of Kingsway Bridge at Corston, and as the vehicle attempted to pass under it the JCB hit the structure and crashed straight onto a passing car, potentially endangering the lives of the driver and passengers.

The road was blocked for around three hours in both directions.

Malmesbury Police posted on its Facebook site: “Thankfully no one was hurt when a JCB in transit, on the back of the lorry, hit the bridge and fell on top of a car.”

One angry driver who was caught up in the traffic chaos later posted on Facebook: “I'm glad no one was hurt, but this incident stopped us from getting our little boy to Chippenham hospital after he sliced his finger.”

They had to turn back but fortunately their son was treated soon afterwards by a GP.

The driver added: “This situation should not keep happening. Surely the drivers know the height of their loads.”

A major operation took place to clear the road with the stricken JCB having to be winched from the ground with a crane.

Malmesbury Police later posted a photo of a road sign warning approaching lorry drivers of the height limit of the bridge.