A PROFESSIONAL driver had an incredibly lucky escape when the car he was driving overturned a short distance outside of Otley.

Martin Routledge, who has recently completed a defensive driving course, emerged unhurt from the vehicle, which crashed around the corner from the Dyneley Arms traffic lights.

Mr Routledge was working for a Yorkshire-based vending company.

Technical manager for the firm, John Newhouse, told the Wharfedale: "He was lucky. He has come out of it totally unscathed. We are not absolutely clear what caused the accident. We suspect a tyre went.

"The only injury he sustained was when he tripped over getting out of the vehicle and he had a very minor bump to his head when he undid his seatbelt. One of the things the police said to him was he should enter the National Lottery because he was so lucky."

Police from Otley were said to be surprised to see Mr Routledge so soon, as he had been repairing a machine at Otley Police Station a short time before the accident.

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