A Southern carriage being transported by lorry sparked chaos after becoming wedged at a crossroads in south-east London

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A Southern train carriage being transported on a lorry caused delays for motorists when it became stuck at a crossroads in south-east London.

The carriage became wedged as it tried to navigate a tight corner in Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and held up traffic for half an hour, witness Luke Alexander said.

The incident happened at the junction of Gipsy Hill, Westow Hill, Westow Street and Central Hill at about 8.20pm.

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Alexander, who works at a bar opposite the junction said he had gone outside after hearing a commotion. “I think the truck taking it had taken the wrong route and it had completely jammed itself on top of the crossroads,” he said.

“Everyone was finding it the most hilarious thing – including the truck drivers themselves who were trying to negotiate it through the crossroads.”

Alexander described the turning as a pretty tight squeeze and said at one point the carriage, which appeared damaged, was wedged against a traffic light.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Crystal Palace, said it was impossible not to see the “complete irony” of the situation. A ban on overtime by drivers on Southern has caused delays and cancellations for commuters, while services were halted for three days last week when members of Aslef went on strike. But Alexander said onlookers took the delay in “good spirit” and broke into huge applause when the lorry managed to turn the corner.