Barn in Great Tey suffers damage as van crashes into it

The converted barn in Great Tey Road, Great Tey, sustained “catastrophic structural damage” as a result of the incident.

The police said the driver was breathalysed and blew a reading of 74mcg, which was just more than double the legal limit of 35mcg.

Lloyd Lambert, 33, of Southview Road, Vange, has been charged with drink driving in connection with the incident.

Crash - the incident took place in Great Tey Road (Image: Essex Police)

He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 3.

It is understood no one was trapped in the vehicle or injured in the property when the crash took place at about 5pm no Christmas Eve.

Two fire crews attended the scene, including a heavy rescue pump from Colchester and a separate crew from Tiptree.

Essex Police shared images of the incident on social media amid its wider campaign cracking down on drink drivers over the festive season.

Attended a collision where a van has crashed into a 15th century converted Barn near #littletey causing catastrophic structural damage. Driver arrested after blowing 74 at the roadside. Limit is 35. Not the Xmas the homeowners expected. QT12 QT214 #oplimited #fatal4 pic.twitter.com/5RbokhOPdy

— Essex Roads Policing (@EPRoadsPolicing) December 24, 2022

The force Tweeted: “Attended a collision where a van has crashed into a 15th Century converted barn near Little Tey causing catastrophic structural damage.

“Driver arrested after blowing 74 at the roadside. Limit is 35. Not the Xmas the homeowners expected.”

Elliot Adams, who was driving home from Great Tey at 6pm, said he feared the barn’s roof may not survive as a result of the crash.

He said: “I was driving down what is usually a very quiet road and saw lots of blue lights.

“There were two fire engines and a police car and I had to slow right down to get round a corner as the barn is right on the bend.

Catastrophic - the van crashed into the barn (Image: Essex Police)

“As we slowed down we could see the van inside the barn. The damage looked quite bad, as in part of the roof might cave in when the van is removed.”

Mr Adams, who regularly travels along Great Tey Road, said motorists should take care when using it.

“Like any country lane, some people go a bit too fast but I have never seen anything close to that.

“There’s a few tight corners on that road and people should treat them carefully.”