By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:35, Wednesday, 06 February 2013

Two men seriously injured in an horrific crash near Carlisle are contractors for Brampton Skip Hire.

The accident scene

The pair were in a black Volkswagen Passat car which was involved in a collision with a Brampton Skips DAF truck at Harker Road Ends, north of the city.

A 30-year-old man from Lockerbie was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with multiple injuries, including those to the head and chest. He remains in a critical but stable condition.

The driver, a 69-year-old man from Moffat, was airlifted to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough with pelvic injuries. He remains stable.

It has emerged that the two men were well-known within the company, as they were contractors who tested the lifting mechanism on the skip lorries.

Rick Allan, who runs Brampton Skip Hire Ltd and North West Recycling Ltd on Kingmoor Park in Carlisle, said he has been in contact with the family of the older man to check on his condition.

Speaking to the News & Star, Mr Allan recalled the horrifying scene following the crash near Aero Nurseries at about 2pm on Thursday.

“I arrived at the scene just as the emergency services arrived and was met with a devastating scene,” he said.

“It was incredible how the emergency services arrived quickly and did their thing.”

Commenting on the car driver and passenger, Mr Allan confirmed the driver was a contractor with Brampton Skip Hire, but said it was very fortunate he was not in the car he frequently drives to their site.

“The driver actually carries out work for us and often drives a vintage Morgan car,” he explained.

“It was a Godsend he wasn’t driving that on this occasion.

“Our driver, Geoff Mark, was admitted to Cumberland Infirmary but was discharged with only bruises.

“We are supporting him and our thoughts are with the family and friends of all involved.”

The road was closed for nearly five hours while the scene was cleared and police tried to establish the cause.

Witnesses to the collision should call police on 101.

First published at 11:51, Wednesday, 06 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk