A RUNAWAY 20-tonne lorry smashed into a car and ploughed into two industrial units at Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland, on Friday.

The lorry driver had been working between the tractor unit and its attached container at about 5.45 pm when the lorry started to roll backwards.

He managed to jump free, but the slate-laden lorry hit a parked car and continued rolling backwards down a steep embankment. The lorry then hit the two unoccupied industrial units and overturned.

Miraculously, nobody was injured in the incident, but the lorry driver - who is from Ystradgynlais - suffered severe shock. He was taken by ambulance to Withybush Hospital.

Paul Terry, owner of Sign-It at Unit 62, had left work about 15 minutes before the incident took place.

He said: 'It was very lucky nobody was hurt. If it had happened in the middle of the day it could have been quite a different story.'

The two industrial units (numbers 60 and 61), which are situated between Sign-It and Peter Llewellyn Photocopiers, were extensively damaged by the collision and may have to be demolished before the lorry can be removed.

The HGV was also badly damaged and Fire Brigade personnel had to contain diesel leaking from it on Saturday morning. The parked car was slightly damaged.

Following the incident, the area was sealed off pending an examination of the property by a structural engineer to ensure public safety.

The incident is being investigated by the police and Department of Transport officials.

Caption: The lorry which crashed into and demolished part of two units at the Honeyborough Industrial site.

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.