The road crossing the Grand Union Canal and River Gade on the edge of Watford is now a dual carriageway on both sides. A much smaller bridge stood there previously, meaning there was much less room to negotiate any accidents that happened at the scene.

One such incident occurred in early 1966 when a lorry, from a company named Belfields Road Services Ltd, in Burslem, came off the road and became wedged against the side of the bridge.

The impact caused considerable damage to the road surface and the vehicle itself, ripping off some of its wheels as this sequence of photos taken by a Watford Observer photographer shows.

Motorists are directed past the scene of the stranded lorryMotorists are directed past the scene of the stranded lorry (Image: Watford Observer)

The snapper remained at the scene to capture the commotion as it unfolded, with more and more curious onlookers gathering to see what all the fuss was about as the lorry’s load was carried off by hand before a mobile crane arrived to lift it free.

The lorry's rear wheels appear to be gone through the bridgeThe lorry's rear wheels appear to be gone through the bridge (Image: Watford Observer)

The front wheel has collapsed and the damage to the road surface is also evidentThe front wheel has collapsed and the damage to the road surface is also evident (Image: Watford Observer)

Pedestrians walk round the lorry with the pavement being sealed offPedestrians walk round the lorry with the pavement being sealed off (Image: Watford Observer)

An increasing number of onlookers gather as the lorry's load starts to be lifted offAn increasing number of onlookers gather as the lorry's load starts to be lifted off (Image: Watford Observer)

A big crowd has now gathered as a crane arrives with the road brought to a standstillA big crowd has now gathered as a crane arrives with the road brought to a standstill (Image: Watford Observer)

The buses at the end of the road are going nowhere soon as the lorry is lifted freeThe buses at the end of the road are going nowhere soon as the lorry is lifted free (Image: Watford Observer)

The extent of the damage to the road and bridge becomes apparentThe extent of the damage to the road and bridge becomes apparent (Image: Watford Observer)