Lorry driver dies as truck plunges 25 metres

A LORRY driver died after his vehicle plunged 25 metres off a cliff when he left the road on the AS-35, in the Asturian municipality of Villayon.

The truck then burst into flames and started a small forest fire, according to Asturian emergency services (SEPA).

Firefighters from SEPA were immediately mobilised, supported by a fire fighting helicopter and a medical helicopter.

The fire and the difficult access mean the rescue team could not reach the lorry until the helicopter had extinguished the flames.

They then moved in and found the body of the driver, who had been flung several metres away during the crash.