Exclusive by Alan Quick

THE A377 at Spencecombe Bends, between Crediton and Copplestone is likely to remain closed to traffic for much of the night following a serious single vehicle road traffic accident just before 11pm on Friday, September 23.

A local company estate vehicle travelling in the direction of Copplestone was believed to have left the road and rolled after first taking out a telegraph pole and part of a hedge on the wrong side of the road.

The vehicle landed upright back on the highway still on the wrong side of the road.

A man, believed to be in his 20’s, was the only occupant of the vehicle.

A woman in an on-coming vehicle told the "Courier" at the scene: "His vehicle was coming straight towards me and I really thought my time was up but fortunately it stopped and didn’t hit me."

Another witness said: "On arrival the young lady on the telephone to the emergency services was so shocked she could hardly speak so I took over talking on her phone about the situation and location and the state of the injured man.

"Fortunately a doctor came along before the emergency services arrived and looked after the young man and I ran to get a blanket from a car at the doctor’s request."

SERIOUS INJURIES

Fire crews from North Tawton and Crediton attended, stabilised the vehicle and assisted at the scene, setting up lighting and preparing cutting equipment in the event that it may have been required.

Ambulance crew staff relieved the doctor in treating the young man and he was removed by the ambulance crew with the assistance of the firefighters.

He was placed on a stretcher and taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by ambulance.

Firefighters cleared the broken telegraph pole, trees and cables from the road.

North Tawton Fire crew Watch Manager Mark Quick said that the young man "sustained serious head and leg injuries".

Police spoke to witnesses and those who were first on the scene and investigated the road traffic collision.

Police also put a road closure in place and operated a diversion for a number of hours while the accident was investigated.