Huge bill for river search

Thursday 9th October 2008, 11:14AM BST.

The cost of a major river search by emergency services sparked after a lorry plunged into the swollen River Severn is likely to be a four figure sum, it was revealed today.

About 30 firefighters, police, boats, helicopters and cranes were used in a three-hour search to find a missing driver after his lorry was spotted in the river at Arley, near Bridgnorth, on Tuesday afternoon.

Rescue crews feared the 22-year-old driver Sam Archer was trapped in the cab or had been washed away. However, the search was called off three hours later when he was found safe and well four miles away in Wolverley after answering a mobile phone call from his brother.

Police confirmed today that a man was due to be interviewed to establish the facts on how the lorry ended up in the river.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The operation will be a four figure sum, it will be a considerable amount but I don’t know how much exactly.

“It’s now a matter for the police to determine whether they take any prosecution and decide who is responsible for the cost,” he added.

View more: Bridgnorth news, South Shropshire news.