A DRIVER had a lucky escape after colliding with a traffic island on Drove Road yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened just before 3pm when a red Vauxhall Corsa hit the traffic island near the junction with Belle Vue Road and dislodged a lamppost.

The incident took place near to where a memorial still remains to Tyrese Hannah, who died aged seven after being hit by a car on the road in March 2008.

Police and firefighters were quickly on the scene as smoke was seen coming from the vehicle and they acted to make the vehicle safe before it was recovered.

The road was blocked in the northbound direction and there was some congestion.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We were called to reports of a car hitting a traffic island in the centre of Drove Road. The fire brigade were called as the car was reportedly smoking and the vehicles was blocking one lane of the carriageway.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “Fire crews were called to attend the incident by police shortly before 3pm after reports of smoke coming from the vehicle.

“A single fire engine from nearby Drove Road fire station was called but there was no fire. Firefighters disconnected the battery and made the car safe before leaving.”

Anyone with information on the incident should contact police on 101.