The A34 is closed in both directions between the junctions with the A303 at Bullington and the A343 at Highclere, due to an overturned vehicle.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes where possible. The road is expected to remain closed in both directions until at least the early afternoon.
Northbound traffic is diverted via the A303, A3093 and A343 to rejoin the A34, following the solid diamond symbol.
Southbound traffic is diverted via the A343, A3093 and A303 to rejoin the A34, following the solid triangle symbol.
Last updated at 0507 on 9/10/2012.
Heavy queueing traffic in both directions between Bullington Cross and Tot Hill Services.
A34 still closed 0900 9/10/12.
(Overturned Car Transporter.)
Going to be closed until at least 2pm
Motorists are facing chaos today after a dramatic accident forced the closure of one of the south’s major roads.
The A34 has been closed in both directions after a car transporter being towed by a recovery truck broke free and smashed through the central reservation barrier.
The accident at Whitchurch just after 11pm last night also send cars on the transporter spilling across the road.
As a result police have said that the road, which links the M3 with the Midlands will be closed for most of the day for repairs.
The 29-year-old driver of the tow truck has been arrested over allegations of with dangerous driving, driving with an insecure load and causing danger to other road users.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash which happened as the load travelled towards Bullington Cross.
They say no one was injured and have asked any witnesses to contact Sergeant Lyndon Barrett at Whitchurch police quoting Operation Bodmin by phoning 101.
Diversions have been put in place but a police spokesman urged drivers to find alternative routes as the road is likely to remain closed for most of today to allow for repairs to the road surface and barriers.
dailyecho.co.uk/news/9973269 … te/?ref=nt
Maybe Cieran can answer this.
How does the under lift attach to the unit?
And I’m not asking for speculation, but what kind of factors would cause it to become separated?
"Seven Range Rovers came off the transporter and ended up on both carriageways.
50 litres of diesel and hydraulic fluid has been spilt across both sides of the A34.
Sections of both carriageways have been damaged and will need to be resurfaced.
100 metres of central reservation barrier also need to be repaired."
Holy Cow, that’s an expensive one 
dar1976:
Maybe Cieran can answer this.
How does the under lift attach to the unit?
And I’m not asking for speculation, but what kind of factors would cause it to become separated?
There are a range of forks on the wrecker that slot into the underlift, the axle then is cradled in the forks when they’re lifted and it’s then all chained.
Yeah, the last time I was towed in an HGV the wrecker lifted the front, they put wheel chocks under the front wheels then the wrecker extended the thicker part further and chained the frame against the front axle.
The guy said for larger LGVs they have more chains and securing options to make sure it doesn’t come awry.
When the wreckers used to pull buses in at the company I worked at there was about once a month where a double decker had hit a bridge as the driver of the wrecker hadn’t got that one right…
But there would be only so far you could lift a car transporter before the cab touched the deck above right?
Until we know what failed and where we’ll just be going in circles on who to blame, but right now it would be the wrecker driver in charge of the combination wouldn’t it!
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The 29-year-old Driver of the VOLVO heavy-recovery vehicle was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving with an insecure load and causing danger to other road users.
He was bailed until 26 November 2012 pending further enquiries.
news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/6 … 390188.jpg
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From my own experience car transporters are a recovery drivers worst night mare!
You cannot lift them very high due to cars / decks touching or the draw bar grinding the road.
Also the A34 is a horrible road to tow on. The Didcot flyover and Peartree are just to sections to mention. Very bumpy and you either have to get in the outside lane ( nigh on impossible most of the time) or slow down to 30 ish mph to try and minimise the rock and roll and front end damage to vehicle on under lift.
I got a feeling I know what’s happened but won’t say until the police have done their bit.
When I was in the recovery game we used to use forks (as mentioned previously) and we’d "figure of 8 " a chain around each fork. I never had one move but trust me, when you’re pulling a dead vehicle behind you you’re very aware that sudden movements could have it off.
Coaches are a different kettle of fish 'cos they tend not to have a front beam axle so need to be put on wheel carriers (can’t remember exact name for them), special care needs to be taken with coaches though otherwise you face a hefty bill for all the side windows that explode when it twists!
dar1976:
How does the under lift attach to the unit?
Own Account Driver:
There are a range of forks on the wrecker that slot into the underlift, the axle then is cradled in the forks when they’re lifted and it’s then all chained.
Yep. Usually a pair of forks under the axle beam, a couple of chains over the axle to hold it down.
Here’s an example: boniface-eng.com/Mercedes%20 … hments.pdf
You can also lift off the chassis rails, off the road springs+spring hangers, off the tow eyes on Mercs and MANs or for badly damaged stuff, hang the front of the unit on chains. But lifting in these manners means you’ve got to lift the unit higher to get the wheels off the ground. Lift off the axle and you’re lifting the wheels straight away - not lifting the unit as high to get the wheels off the ground.
Mark22_2:
From my own experience car transporters are a recovery drivers worst night mare!
You cannot lift them very high due to cars / decks touching or the draw bar grinding the road.
Yep, they’re no fun whatsoever 
Mark22_2:
I got a feeling I know what’s happened but won’t say until the police have done their bit.
I don’t know that road, but the way you’ve described it, I think we’re on the same wave length 
Just a horrible combination of casualty vehicle and road.
I think it’s law in America to run secondary safety chains.
the maoster:
I never had one move
bet you made no bonus either 
the maoster:
wheel carriers (can’t remember exact name for them),
Wheel grids. Busses are bastarts, but car transporters are bigger bastarts.
You work for Tears?
Good guess from my location, but no, used to be on Tinda Lee.
