One dead in Lancashire bridge collapse and others seriously injured after trailer carrying 11 people plunges into river

Police were called around 4.25pm yesterday (Tuesday, January 18) to the Moor Lane area of Roeburndale, east of Lancaster, following a report of a serious accident on a farm.

It was reported a Polaris Ranger vehicle pulling a trailer had fallen into a river when a bridge collapsed.

Eleven people were in the ranger vehicle and trailer at the time of the incident.

Sadly, one man suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pictures from the scene show a wooden bridge slumped across a rocky stretch of the River Roeburn (see link below).

A second man suffered a serious head injury and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

A third person has suffered a serious back injury and was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Others who are injured have also been taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Emergency services including police, ambulance crews, fire crews and mountain rescue responded to the scene.

Five fire engines, including one from Cumbria and one from North Yorkshire, as well as several special appliances and the air support unit were deployed.

Road closures remain in place today (Wednesday, January 19) and are expected to continue for some time.

Police said the people in the vehicles were from a "shooting party" who were "travelling on private land" and were returning to the farm when the bridge collapsed.

An investigation into the circumstances around the incident is underway and the Health and Safety Executive says it is "making enquiries alongside the police."

Det Insp Kirsty Wyatt, of Lancashire Police, said: “My thoughts are very much with all those involved in what is a very sad and tragic incident.

"One man has sadly died and a number of people have suffered serious injuries.

"At this time we believe the vehicle was pulling the trailer, containing a number of people, when a bridge gave way. Those people were then thrown from the vehicle and trailer.

"Our investigation is at very early stages and enquiries are ongoing to establish what happened."

Anyone with information which can help police can call 101 quoting log 0953 of January 18.

A fire service spokesman added: "Firefighters assisted police, ambulance and mountain rescue teams in a multi-agency response to the incident which involved a vehicle pulling a trailer that had fallen into a river when a bridge collapsed.

"Several people were injured and sadly one person died. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time."

North West Ambulance Service has been approached for further details.

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