Dramatic footage shows car towing a caravan snake across road before somersaulting into barrier

  • Dan Combellack posted the clip of the A380 crash at Chudleigh, Devon
  • It shows the Toyota Cruiser and van swerve and flip across the safety barrier
  • The road was shut between Exeter and Newton Abbott and 4 fire engines came 
  • A car passenger has a minor head injury but police haven not said any arrests yet

By Phoebe Eckersley For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A car towing a caravan has been seen snaking at high speeds along a busy dual carriageway before being flipped and smashed.

The terrifying dash-cam footage shows the car lose control, flip and roll over the crash barrier on the A380 at Chudleigh in Devon yesterday.     

Cars are seen passing in the opposite direction moments before the tumbling vehicle crosses the barrier near Newton Abbot.  

Dan Combellack, 36, posted the footage online, prompting a flood of claims that the Toyota Land Cruiser was going too fast to be towing a caravan. The footage shows the Toyota speed past Dan's lorry. 

The driver is hurled at a distance swinging close to the oncoming cars
The caravan momentarily stands still before being smacked back down on to the dual carriagway

A Toyota Land Cruiser and its caravan were launched into the air after losing control on the A380 at Chudleigh, Devon, on August 21

People have criticised the drivers and used the accident as an example of 'why people towing shouldn't be going quicker than vans/lorries on dual carriageways'

People have criticised the drivers and used the accident as an example of 'why people towing shouldn't be going quicker than vans/lorries on dual carriageways'

Wreckage: The caravan is pictured torn apart as emergency services stand nearby at the cornered off dual carriageway

Wreckage: The caravan is pictured torn apart as emergency services stand nearby at the cornered off dual carriageway

The Toyota starts veering off the lane and leans towards one side
In a matter of seconds the car towing the van completely loses control and is chucked upwards

People have expressed their anger about the incident which has 'held up because of [the driver's] stupidity'

Sparks and gravel omit from the side of the Toyota as it crashes back down. Four fire-engines and police attended the scene and the motorway was blocked off

Sparks and gravel omit from the side of the Toyota as it crashes back down. Four fire-engines and police attended the scene and the motorway was blocked off 

The caravan starts to swing wildly from side to side and then swerves violently, spinning over and flipping the Toyota. 

The car comes free from the caravan and has sufficient momentum to cross the safety barrier. 

Dan said: 'Everyone was fine. Some small cuts from flying glass. Very lucky. The dog was ok.'

Four fire engines, ambulance crews and police attended the scene which saw the A380 dual carriageway shut in both directions between Exeter and Newton Abbot.

Karl Meredith responded online: 'I'm a class one driver myself hence why I knew they were speeding. Probably over 70mph by the look. Hope everyone was ok though.'

Ady Cross was particularly critical of the driver, commenting: 'No idea on loading or speed.' 

The caravan somersaulted across dual carriageway and gathered enough momentum to cross the safety barrier

The caravan somersaulted across dual carriageway and gathered enough momentum to cross the safety barrier

One of the passenger's has suffered a minor head injury from the accident, according to the Devon and Cornwall Police. There has been no mention of arrests yet

One of the passenger's has suffered a minor head injury from the accident, according to the Devon and Cornwall Police. There has been no mention of arrests yet

The fishtail would have started due to the combination of speed and the suction as they pass the HGV, with the speed they were doing it is no surprise. Just a pain for everyone else held up because of their stupidity.'

Kashif Ghazi also pointed out the dangerous speed, but hopes they have learnt a valuable lesson: 'It seems very dangerous but I hope that driver and passengers are all fine and next time he or she will drive slowly and avoid overtaking while towing anything.' 

Adam Wood criticised the driver, highlighting once more the speed they were travelling: 'This is why people towing shouldn't be going quicker than vans/lorries on dual carriageways. Bet they were a little dizzy after that.' 

Dan, from Cornwall, also passed comment on the incident, saying: 'I seen the caravan overtaking me and thought was a little fast.

'At the bottom of the hill all vehicles bottom out a little that's why started snaking. I knew what was going to happen so I started slowing down.' 

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that one the vehicle's passengers has suffered a minor head injury. 

They have not confirmed whether anyone has been arrested or charged.

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