A tractor towing bowser along the A4137 from Hereford towards Whitchurch was descending the long hill down to Garron Brook when it veered across the road smashing a telegraph pole and hitting the bridge parapet. It demolished a third of the parapet of the bridge and toppled over into the Garron Brook. The Bowser finished down in the water with the tractor on its side above it. A telegraph pole was broken off completely at its base and hit and damaged a following white van. The A4137 was completely blocked in both directions for several hours. The tractor driver was recovered from the tractor by drivers of other vehicles and given immediate first- aid to a graze on his head. Within a few minutes he was sitting on the bank and drinking water. First of the emergency services on scene was the fire brigade with an appliance from Whitchurch. This was quickly followed by the police. Later there were several fire engines on the scene together with the Environmental Pollution Unit whose officers placed a boom across the Garron Brook to prevent pollution from the tractor and bowser moving downstream into the River Wye. Later, heavy lifting gear was used to lift the tractor and bowser from the Garron. The damaged side of the bridge was coned off and traffic flowed again along the A4137 controlled by lights. Photograph by Noel Meek
