MORE than 20 tonnes of steel smashed into the cab of a lorry as it veered off a dual carriageway - but the driver walked away virtually unscathed.

The impact separated the cab from the trailer as the vehicle came off the road and into a field after suffering a suspected blow-out on the A19 in North Yorkshire.

An ambulance was called but the driver, who has not been named, declined hospital treatment. He was said to be bruised and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

The lorry, operated by Stockton-based FVS Transport, was taking 22-and-a-half tonnes of 55ft long steel beams from the Corus steelworks to Hereford when the accident happened, at about 7.15pm on Wednesday.

FVS transport manager Derek Lamplugh said: "The steel has hit the cab and the cab has actually come off the chassis.

"The only bit not badly affected was the bit where the driver sat. The door came off and he literally rolled out. It was quite miraculous."

He said the lorry appeared to have a blow-out as it was travelling south and veered over the central reservation and on to the northbound carriageway, before smashing through a hedge and coming to rest in a field. Other drivers managed to avoid the lorry as it careered across the road, just north of the Over Silton junction, near Northallerton.

Mr Lamplugh said: "We have spoken to the driver and he seems fine. He just said he was a bit bruised and shaken up."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said about 50 metres of central reservation were damaged by the lorry. He said the northbound carriageway may have to be closed to recover the vehicle. Recovery may take place tomorrow night and Sunday morning, to minimise disruption to traffic.