October 2009 - Halloween tragedy - 2 die in road smash

At approximately midday on the 31st of October 2009 a car containing 4 people was in collision with a lorry on the A26 at Herons Ghyll just south of Crowborough, East Sussex. The car was extremely badly damaged and partially trapped under the lorry.

Two occupants of the car were declared dead at scene. One made his own way out of the car and the fourth remained trapped for about 90 minutes until released by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Dr Alan Pearce, the SIMCAS doctor who attended the incident said that "This is a notorious accident blackspot well know to the emergency services. The 15 year old boy had suffered head and arm injuries. On my arrival he was being exceptionally brave. He required an anaesthetic to enable him to be removed from the wreckage."

Medical care was provided by crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service and Dr Pearce of SIMCAS, the local BASICS immediate medical care scheme. Both survivors were transferred to the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.