City centre returns to normal

4:13pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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TRAFFIC in St Albans City Centre has returned to normal after an accident brought cars to a standstill earlier this afternoon.

London Road, Chequer Street, Holywell Hill and the High Street were all closed from 1pm to 3pm.

It was after a lorry oversteered and hit a car as it turned left into the High Street, wedging the car between itself and a traffic light.

Firefighters cut the door of the car off to free a trapped female passenger who complained of back pains.

The male driver was able to get out of the car but both were taken to hospital.

Police closed the roads while the scene was cleared.

Crew commander John Hudnott, of St Albans Fire Station, said: "The police had to shut all four roads as the accident happened right on the junction.

"It was gridlock pretty much.

"There were a lot of people crowding round the accident so the police had to push everyone back while we took off the door and took out the woman on a stretcher.

"After that there was nothing else we needed to do, there weren't any other dangers so it was left to the police to clear the scene."