Truck wedges under viaduct

A semi-trailer is salvaged from underneath the Pound Street viaduct after it collided with the rail overpass at 1.10am Wednesday morning.

A SEMI-TRAILER driver has been charged with negligent driving after his truck was wedged under the Pound Street railway viaduct in Grafton.

Police said the 66-year-old Wallsend driver failed to see the 3.6 metre Low Clearance signage as he approached the low bridge eastbound.

The prime mover or cabin section of the vehicle hit the bottom of the viaduct first, followed by the trailer.

“This collision caused the vehicle to roll on its passenger side,” said Acting Inspector Sergeant Harley Willox of Grafton police.

He said the driver climbed out of his truck through the window and was not hurt in the incident.

The truck, carrying general freight, was damaged extensively in the crash and a fuel spill was contained quickly by Grafton Fire Brigade.

The cabin section of the vehicle was detached and removed about 6am, followed by the trailer at about 8pm