HGV rollover

RS Recovery were tasked by the Local Authorities to assist with an incident involving an overturned HGV.  A challenging incident as the vehicle combination was fully laden at 44 tonnes, with diesel having been spilled over the road surface.

rs recovery rollover

Once we had assessed the job and and explained to the emergency services what was needed to right the vehicle, a plan of action was put in place and our trucks were moved into position. High and low pressure air recovery cushions were also used to aid the lift and to stop the side of the container bulging out any more.

Three recovery vehicles were used to roll it back onto its wheels; an NRC 35T slider was used to take most of the weight and to help the trailer wheels grip. A Boniface Interstater was used to pull the tractor unit over and assist the front of the trailer and a Foden 6×6 ATLAS rotator was used get the air cushions under and to stop the trailer sliding on the tarmac due to the fuel and oil spillage. The air recovery cushions were used to start the initial lift.

Once the vehicle was righted the fire brigade left the scene as they felt the fuel was no longer causing any risk, the scene was left to the highways contractors to inspect and repair the road, the vehicle was recovered by the NRC Heavy under-lift recovery truck to RS Recovery for secure storage.

A video clip of the HGV being rolled back on to its wheels can be viewed below.

 

 

Emergency services training exercise

We had the pleasure to assist the West Midlands Emergency services by recovering a bus into place on the A38 Aston Express Way in Birmingham.  An exercise was undertaken throughout the night and coordinated with a number of agencies to simulate a major road traffic incident.  National Express West Midlands who’d provided the bus, asked us to deliver it and put it place with a number of special requirements so that it was as realistic as possible.

We were glad to have been involved in such an exercise and its importance for continually improving the emergency services.  A short video on the West Midlands Fire Service can be viewed below.

 

Newest addition to the fleet

The equipment is from Boniface Engineering in Thetford.  We went for the Recoverer Trident with Side-winders (which you can see extended out from the side of the vehicle).  We already had a similar specification vehicle on the fleet but with a 3-axle chassis, so we knew what to expect.  The side-winders add great winching capability and stability to the truck when towing heavy loads.  It’s the first time we’ve gone for a 4-axle chassis and we can now see why it is so popular among other operators.  The additional axle adds better steering and braking which is critical in certain scenarios.