Van drops 750 feet off Ditchling Beacon in dramatic crash

Emergency services swarmed Ditchling after the van flew out of the control off the steep road at the top of the beauty spot and landed in bushes below.

Residents of the sleepy South Downs village say they saw skid marks from where the van had come off the road and how specialist crews battled to rescue the driver.

The van in bushes at the bottom of the hill (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Natalie Mizroeff, who lives in nearby Westmeston, and saw the aftermath of the crash, said: “I was walking up the hill and by the time I got to the top the road was closed.

“A vehicle went over the top of the Beacon and down the fields.

“It was an amazing rescue. They had a special Land Rover which got high enough through the fields.”

Emergency services said they were called to the scene of the crash after the vehicle came off the road and plummeted into trees below.

A casualty was rescued by specialist crews and transferred to the care of ambulance crews.

The Argus estimates that the van travelled nearly 750 foot down the side of Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex’s highest point.

The car dropped 750 feet off Ditchling Beacon (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Emergency services responded to a report of a vehicle leaving the road at Ditchling Bostall at about 7.45am on Wednesday, September 11.

“Temporary road closures were in place in the area while this incident was dealt with.

“A patient was left in the care of the ambulance service.”

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 8.42am on 11 September to reports of a car coming off the road in Westmeston, near Ditchling.

“Three fire engines were in attendance from East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services.

“Crews rescued one casualty from the car who was handed over to the care of the ambulance service.

“Partners including Sussex Police and Hart (Hazardous Area Response Team) were also in attendance.”