A TRUCK was left at a 45 degree angle on the tidal road, Aveton Gifford, on Friday, after coming off the side of the tarmac.

The couple in the small truck were travelling down from Manchester and delivering garden furniture. They were travelling from the St Ann’s Chapel direction at around 7pm and came to the tidal road when the water was around eight inches deep, according to eyewitness and Aveton Gifford resident Jenny McNeil.

She said: ‘They decided to follow some cars through but must have misjudged the width of the road and drove off it. The driver reversed to try to rectify matters but it only made things worse as both wheels ended up off the tarmac with the side of the van wedged against the stakes.’

Kingsbridge officer PCSO Dave Gibson was first on scene, followed by PC Steve Mutton. They closed the road at around 7.30pm. A local farmer came to offer his assistance with a tractor but, according to Jenny and the police, he was worried that dragging the truck would have punctured the diesel tank on the bottom of the vehicle.

The fire brigade were called, but as the occupants were out of the vehicle safely, and there was no danger to anyone on the scene, they didn’t attend, leaving the owner’s insurance company to coordinate a tow.

It is thought a representative of the insurance company arrived at around 9.30pm and a recovery truck was called from Okehampton, but this did not arrive until well after midnight. By this time it was very dark and PC Steve Mutton stayed on scene to make sure everyone was safe.

Eventually, the truck was recovered, just in time, as the high tide was expected at 5am.

Sgt Dave Green, Kingsbridge Police, said: ‘It was essential to keep everyone safe so our officers will always stay until the bitter end, in all weathers.

‘Even in dry weather the mud at the edge of the tidal road is very soft and you cannot drive on it. Please make sure you stay on the tarmac at all times.’