Crushed to death

Accident investigators believe 44-year-old driver Nick Hall, an employee for Ringway Parkman, was stood in a lay-by between the cab and trailer of his vehicle, when the Bristol-based truck struck the lorry from behind on the A350 at Upton Scudamore.

Paramedics and traffic police officers rushed to the scene at 2pm on Tuesday and sealed off the road between Warminster and Westbury for seven hours.

The victim's trailer had jack-knifed across both sides of the carriageway and the lorry was embedded in a verge after ploughing into it. A 52-year-old Exeter man, who was driving the distribution lorry, was taken to Warminster Hospital with shock but later discharged.

Mr Hall, who is married with two young sons, was working as a white line installer for Ringway Parkman the highways contractor for Wiltshire County Council.

Police believe he stopped in a lay-by near the village of Upton Scudamore to check his trailer hitch when tragedy struck. He died from multiple injuries.

Mr Hall's wife Monica and sons Freddy, five and George, three, were being comforted by relatives in Marlborough.

Employed by Wiltshire County Council for 20 years, Mr Hall started work at Ringway Parkman three years ago. Network manager Dave Gibby said Mr Hall's colleagues were in mourning for their friendly, likeable workmate.

"He was a quiet lad but was always very dependable and very reliable and well-liked by all his colleagues."

Traffic officers set up roadblocks and diversions in Warminster and Westbury but traffic quickly backed up into both town centres.

PC Dave Cooper, one of the first traffic officers on the scene, said it was a sea of carnage.

"There was a lot of damage and debris and parts of vehicles were littered everywhere. It is very lucky there were no other vehicles involved as it is a busy road with traffic constantly going in both directions.

"The exact reason why the distribution left the road will need to be investigated."