AN HGV driver has been fined £500 and narrowly escaped a driving ban after crashing his lorry into a height-restricted railway bridge.

Colin Burns drove his DAF truck into Albert Hill railway bridge, in Darlington, in November last year, the town’s magistrates’ court was told yesterday.

The 51-year-old, of Low Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough, admitted driving without due care and attention.

Prosecutor David Maddison said the height of Mr Burns’ vehicle was 14ft 9in, with the bridge’s maximum clearance just 10ft 6in.

He said firefighters had to cut the roof of the vehicle and let air out of the tyres in an attempt to free it.

A structural assessment of the bridge revealed no damage, said Mr Maddison.

Mr Burns, who represented himself in court, faced being disqualified from driving under the totting-up procedure and said he would lose his job if banned from the road.

As well as the fine and £15 victim surcharge, his driving licence was endorsed with five penalty points, taking his total to 11.

District Judge Simon Hickey: “I think this [sentence] will remind you to be very, very careful in the future.

“I do this to enable a working man to keep his job - but I do so only just.”