Lorry falls from cliff in Padstow
It is understood that liquid bitumen was leaking into the Camel Estuary
Last updated 12th Jul 2021
A lorry carrying bitumen has fallen from cliffs in Padstow.
The coastguard says it slipped into the water just before 7am on Friday morning.
Police have confirmed that the driver managed to get out of the vehicle and was not injured.
It is understood the lorry was carrying tonnes of liquid and it was leaking into the Camel Estuary.
Pollution containment booms have been put in place and a counter-pollution team are continuing to liaise with the harbour authorities and all others involved.
A clean-up operation is underway to make the scene safe.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency says the majority of the release is contained.
"HM Coastguard is working with Padstow Harbour authorities and police and fire after a lorry slipped into the water at St Saviour’s Point just before 7 this morning.
"Pollution containment booms have been put in place because the lorry was leaking bitumen into the Padstow Estuary. The Harbour Authority has deployed their Oil Spill Response contractor to assist with the containment and recovery of bitumen that has been released from the vehicle.
"Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team was initially involved in this work and also providing a safety cordon but have now been stood down.
"Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Padstow Harbour as well as the Environment Agency are coordinating a response.
"HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s counter-pollution team are continuing to liaise with the harbour authorities and all others involved.
"A salvage company and clean up team have been called in and are liaising with Padstow Harbour.
"At this time the vehicle is above the water line (due to falling tide), and the bitumen released around the lorry has begun to solidify on the shoreline, so is currently not entering the harbour waters, and the majority of the release is contained."
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Conserv Group, which is owned by Cornwall Council, confirmed swift action is being taken.
"An incident occurred this morning (July 9) in Padstow involving a subcontractor’s vehicle which has entered the water in the Camel Estuary. The vehicle was carrying non-hazardous liquid bitumen and swift action has been taken to contain any spills and a co-ordinated clean up of the environment is in progress.
"Cormac is currently on site and working with all the relevant agencies to recover the vehicle and make the area safe. There were no injuries to the driver or the public."
Conserv spokesperson
“I am aware of a pollution incident on the Camel Estuary within my North Cornwall constituency, I am liaising with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), The Environment Agency (EA) and the Padstow Harbour Commissioner, as soon as we have an update we will share via our usual communication channels.”
Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall