A Good Samaritan helped as a lorry driver came a cropper in Colchester's Dutch Quarter.

The Polish trucker, who was unable to speak a word of English, got stuck fast in East Stockwell Street at about 4pm yesterday.

Another Polish national, who was passing by, stopped to help police communicate with him.

The lorry bumped into buildings when it got wedged in, and more damage was done as the hapless driver tried to manoeuvre his way out. A specialist recovery vehicle was called out to free him at the expense of his company.

The latest victim of the narrow bend was relying on a hand-drawn map but took a wrong turn.

One of the buildings damaged was Grade I-listed Tudor House, used by child abuse charity Heal.

An Essex County Council spokesman said the correct route for lorries to take through the town centre was clearly signposted, and there were also signs warning drivers not to enter the Dutch Quarter.

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