Delivery man’s lucky escape as van roof sliced off in crash

James Whittaker, 22, only suffered cuts and bruises in the crash which happened on the A64 near York while he was making a night delivery for the courier firm he works for.

Mr Whittaker, from Wakefield, revealed that the roof of the Vauxhall Vivaro was sliced off when it crashed into two trees.

The van hurtled into a tree on the passenger side before veering to the right and crashing into another tree, which stopped the vehicle from tumbling down an embankment.

He said: “Apparently, the police, ambulance and firefighters didn’t expect to find me alive. All I suffered was a cut to my forehead, a few grazes on my legs and a bruised foot. I also cut my hand when I was trying to get out.

“I was given X-rays and a CT scan when I was taken to York Hospital and they found I had not suffered any fractures.

“When I look at pictures of the wreckage, I can’t believe I wasn’t more badly injured or killed. If there had been anyone in the passenger seat, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

The single-vehicle accident happened in the early hours of Saturday on the westbound carriageway between Grimston Bar and the Fulford Interchange.

Firefighters, who had to cut Mr Whittaker out of the wreckage, said he was very fortunate to escape with only superficial injuries.