Crane crashes into side of house

The road has been closed while an investigation takes place

A mobile crane has crashed into the front of a house in Derbyshire.

No-one was injured in the accident in Matlock but part of Lyn Holmes Road was closed by police to allow them to begin an investigation.

Jacky Fletcher told BBC News she had just returned from a night shift when she saw bricks flying and saw the crane embedded in her house.

Two other vehicles - a Honda Civic and a Ford Mondeo - were damaged and the property was also severely damaged.

Two minutes earlier I would have been sat at that table in the window where it had come through having a coffee Jacky Fletcher, homeowner

A structural engineer has inspected the property and diversions which were put in place have now been lifted.

The crane has been removed from the scene and taken away for investigation.

Ms Fletcher said she was badly shaken by the incident, but added she was very relieved her husband and daughter were not in at the time.

"Two minutes earlier I would have been sat at that table in the window where it had come through having a coffee and watching the Olympics before I went to bed.

"If he'd have gone down the road it could have hit and damaged a lot more people with children in cars.

"It's a busy time of morning but it's bricks and mortar... people's lives are okay."

Sgt Tony McVeigh said: "The mobile crane has come down a steep hill (Chesterfield Road) and then collided with two cars, and the driver has taken some evasive action and steered to his left and gone into the front of the house."

Sue Pearson, who lives in the area, said: "I was on the telephone and I heard a big bang, but didn't think any more about it, and when I came outside about 15 minutes later everyone was milling around and there was tape across the road."

The crane was being driven to a building site in Darley Dale when the accident happened at 0815 BST.

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The vehicle's brakes may have failed