SCHOOL RUN HORROR

Kidbrooke lorry crash: Boy, 11, critical and ‘dad’ injured ‘on way to school’ as bin lorry hits home killing driver

A BOY is fighting for his life in hospital with a man believed to be his dad after they were hit by a runaway bin lorry before it smashed into a house, killing the 29-year-old driver.

Witnesses said the 11-year-old was on his way to school with his dad when the truck crashed into several parked cars and the house in South East London just after 8am today.

Residents were woken by a bang 'like the Blitz' before a number of people were rushed to hospital by ambulance.

The youngster was flown to a major trauma centre by air ambulance after the tragedy in Kidbrooke.

One witness said the youngster, a year 6 student, was being taken to school when the family's car was hit.

A Land Rover Discovery was smashed into the side of the house during the horrific collision.

Firefighters battled to free the driver of the industrial bin lorry after the crash.

However, the man - who was just 29 - couldn't be saved, and died at the scene.

Horrific video shows the out-of-control lorry careering along the road before veering across the carriageway and smashing into cars and the house.

This afternoon, the distraught homeowner sat on a wall watching officers searching for clues in the rubble of his home.

The green industrial bin lorry had smashed into the side of the property and ploughed into the front room.

One theory being investigated by Scotland Yard is the possibility the lorry driver may have suffered a medical episode while behind the wheel.

One neighbour said: “Officers told me he might have had a medical issue - they think a heart attack or a stroke or something like that.

“With all the speed bumps down this road, I have no clue how someone could race down it at speed.”

Residents say they heard a huge bang and the sounds of "carnage" at around 8am shortly before the air ambulance landed.

One woman who lives nearby said: “The father and son were on their way to school when they were hit.

“I just hope they pull through.

“The boy is in year 6 at primary school and getting ready for his 11-plus exams.”

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Eyewitnesses saw casualties being stretchered across the A2 Rochester Way.

Roads in the area have been sealed off.

Officers have set up a blue forensic tent close to the scene of the crash.

Emergency workers have covered the lorry's cabin with a plastic sheet to recover the body of the driver.

At least 30 firefighters are also clearing bricks and debris from the devastation.

A builder whose van was written off in the crash said he was getting ready to go to work when he heard a "huge smash".

The 35-year-old, who asked not to be named, said the trail of destruction stretches for around half-a-mile.

He added: "I saw the 11-year-old boy get pulled out of the Land Rover.

"He was stretchered out and I never saw him move. It didn't look good and he was unconscious. It's terrible.

"The lorry must have smashed into the passenger side which the boy was sitting in and spun it into the house.

"His dad was bleeding loads from his head and was taken away in an ambulance."

Mum-of-two Toni Pankhurst, 42, lies nearby.

She said: "I was woken up like it was the Blitz.

"There was this massive bang and then the sound of the helicopter hovering overhead."

After rushing out, she said she saw one man being taken away on a stretcher.

A second man was seen with blood pouring from his face.

"It's a massive green truck and it looks like it's actually embedded in the house," Toni said.

"There's other smashed vehicles sprawling around half a mile further up the road.

"It looked like they were all stationary and the lorry has totalled everything in its path."

Another neighbour said: "We only heard the carnage.

"I was in bed asleep when I heard this huge bang.

"I didn't really think anything of it as there's been roadworks all through the night.

"But then it was siren after siren and the helicopter landing.

"I came out around 9am and knew it was serious when I saw the huge cordon.

"This lorry has smashed into the house and taken two cars with it."

Police said they were called to the scene during the morning rush-hour.

The two men taken to hospital aren't believed to have suffered life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

Detective Constable Neil Webb of the Met Police's roads and transport policing command called for anyone with information to come forward.

“This was a traumatic incident and my thoughts are with those involved and their loved ones," he said.

“We are conducting extensive enquiries into what happened, and I’m keen to hear from witnesses and those with dash-cam or CCTV footage of the incident.

"Please help us piece together what happened.”

This morning, a Met Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 8.05am to Broad Walk in SE3 by the London Ambulance Service.

"Officers were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving multiple vehicles and a building.

“We are are on scene with London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.

“At this time, we are aware of multiple people being injured.

“An 11-year-old child was taken to hospital.

"Their condition has been assessed as life-threatening.

"Two males have been taken to hospital. We await an update on their condition.

“Sadly one man has been declared dead at the scene.

"Work is ongoing to trace their next of kin.

“Road closures are in place and the public are asked to avoid the area.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Fire station Commander Nathan Hobson, who is at the scene said: “It was a challenging incident and it appears that a lorry collided with two cars and crashed into a house.

"Specialist urban search and rescue crews attended the scene and efforts were made to free the lorry driver, but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said four ambulance crews, medics in cars, an advanced paramedic and the hazardous area response teams were sent to the scene, along with the air ambulance.

“Working closely with other emergency services at the scene, we assessed six patients," they said.

"Unfortunately, one patient was found to have died at the scene.

"Of the remaining five patients, we took three to hospital and two were discharged at the scene.” 

London Fire Brigade say the house has suffered "extensive structural damage".