A Yorkshire town has been rocked by a collision that has demolished its historic market cross.
Today's incident in Howden, East Yorkshire, will bring back painful memories of the way in which the Oakenshaw Cross had to be removed from its home at the junction of Wyke Lane, Cross Street, and Sykes Lane, after being hit by several vehicles.
Shoppers and businesses in the centre of Howden, were shocked when a gold Range Rover crashed into the local landmark shortly after 10.30am on Thursday, leaving the vehicle perched on the base of the wrecked monument.
One pedestrian is believed to have been taken to hospital following the incident outside the Shire Hall.
Local councillor David Howard said he was at home nearby when alerted to the crash and went to the scene to see the damage.
a Range Rover has mounted a paved area and knocked down the Market Cross in Howden, East Yorkshire. (Image: Amy Crowther/Press Association)
Mr Howard said of the cross: “It’s in a real mess. We’re trying to work out who owns it, really.”
He said: “It marks the centre of the town and it needs to be put back in some form – restored, repaired, replaced.
“That’s for the future. At the minute, we just need it to be safe and conserve as much as possible.”
Mr Howard said: “It does look like a very, very interesting art installation at the motor show at the moment.
“In fact, it’s almost an album cover from an early 1980s rock band.”
a Range Rover has mounted a paved area and knocked down the Market Cross in Howden, East Yorkshire. (Image: Amy Crowther/Press Association)
The independent councillor said there was some confusion over the history of the cross in the Market Place, close to the town’s historic minster.
He said he had believed parts of it were medieval, but had also been told it does not appear in some Victorian photographs.
According to the Historic England website, the structure is Grade II listed.
The heritage body says the base is medieval but the 16ft-high (5-metre) cross was erected in 1909.
Mr Howard said the town centre is a conservation area.
He said the accident could have been much worse and praised the work of the fire service.
A Humberside Police spokeswoman said the collision happened at about 10.38am.
She said: “Officers were deployed to a reported road traffic collision in the area of Market Place, Howden, involving a car and a pedestrian this morning.
“Thankfully, nobody is believed to have sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision.
“The vehicle has since been recovered and the road closure that was put in place whilst emergency services attended has now reopened.”