GOD works in mysterious ways! The lorry which careered across the Canford Bottom Roundabout demolished one of the few buildings in Wimborne Road West with no-one inside - a church that was due for demolition anyway.

Locals say it's a miracle no one was seriously injured or even killed. And the neighbouring residents whose gardens were wrecked by the wayward truck say they've had a lucky escape.

As reported on page one of Monday's Daily Echo, the 40-tonne truck ploughed into All Saints Church, Stapehill, around 5am. Assessing the damage Monday morning, the Rev Laurie Clow, said he was "totally shocked". He added: "It is miraculous that the only building hit by the vehicle was empty."

Stuart Tucker, station manager at Wimborne Fire Station, said: "It was potentially a catastrophic event."

The church recently applied for planning permission to tear down the front section and rebuild it to accommodate larger congregations. Firefighters managed to save the vicar's much-loved guitar from within the church.

Brian and Mary Burge live next door to All Saints Church. The lorry flattened their garden and collided with their parked car. They woke in the early hours of the morning to what they thought was thunder.

Mary, 77, said: "It could have hit the house. There could have been kids playing out here and all sorts. We're very lucky it wasn't worse."

Brian, 78, added: "We were very shocked. We haven't got over it yet."

Their neighbour, Jenny Rideout, said: "All of a sudden we heard this rumbling which sounded like thunder. It got louder and louder and then the house shook and we heard an almighty explosion and crash. It was horrendous."

Her husband Rod rushed to the aid of the lorry driver and his 12-year-old son, who was also travelling in the cab, bringing them blankets to keep warm until the emergency services arrived.

The pair had managed to scramble free of the wreck. Both escaped serious injury although the driver was taken to Poole Hospital with a suspected broken ankle.

It is thought the lorry had come from Carlisle and was transporting electrical goods to Spain.

Police accident investigators were at the scene for much of the day and firefighters battled to make the church stable so the lorry could be removed.

Sgt Steve Quill, of the Ferndown Road Policing Unit, said: "The lorry came from the A31 and I presume it was supposed to be continuing on the A31.We're investigating several possibilities as to how he ended up driving across the top of the roundabout, through these gardens and into the church."

The lorry damaged the gas and electricity supply and the street was without power for much of the morning.

The Environment Agency and Water Board joined emergency crews in the clear-up operation, which included soaking up spilled diesel.

Drivers in the area faced considerable delays for much of the morning.

Witnesses to the accident are urged to call Dorset Police on 01202 222222.

First published: August 9