A LORRY driver was airlifted to hospital following a crash near Downpatrick on Monday morning.
No other vehicles were involved when a lorry overturned and slid down a steep embankment at Miller’s Turn on the Ballydugan Road shortly after 10am.
Fire crews from Downpatrick and Newcastle rushed to the scene. It is understood the man had freed himself but became unwell shortly afterwards.
The man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by the NI Air Ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokesman for Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said they received a 999 call at 10.20am following reports of the accident.
He said the Ambulance Service despatched one emergency crew and one hazardous area response team to the scene. The Air Ambulance was also tasked to the incident.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast,” the spokesman said.
Police reopened the road shortly after lunchtime.
Downpatrick councillor Oonagh Hanlon said she was “relieved to learn the driver of the lorry had escaped with his life”.
She continued: “This is a notorious bad stretch of the Ballydugan Road and I would urge drivers to slow down when approaching the bend, especially as winter draws in.
“I will be asking Department of Infrastructure if there are any enhancements which can be made to the road over the coming months.”