Lorry Flips on A1 Motorway: Overturned Freight Truck Injures Driver, Causes Traffic Disruption, Lanes Closed

Amsterdam, Netherlands— A freight lorry overturned on the A1 motorway and left its driver injured while causing major traffic disruption on October 22, 2026.

The crash happened at 6:45 a.m. eastbound between Muiden and Bussum, a busy freight corridor. The lorry was carrying palletized goods. Police said the driver swerved to avoid debris in the lane, overcorrected, and the trailer swung. The whole rig tipped onto its side and slid 60 meters, shedding cargo across two lanes.

The cab was crushed on the driver’s side. The driver, a Polish national in his 40s, was trapped by the dashboard and steering wheel. Passing truckers stopped and called emergency services. One tried to climb into the cab but could not reach him.

Highway patrol and fire crews arrived in nine minutes. They stabilized the lorry with blocks to stop it rolling further and cut the roof to access the cabin. It took 35 minutes to free the man. He was conscious throughout, shouting in Polish and English.

“He was pinned by the legs and in a lot of pain. We had to lift the cab slightly while cutting. Diesel was leaking, so we worked fast,” said a Gooi and Vecht fire officer.

The driver was taken to Amsterdam UMC with serious injuries to his chest, leg and arm. Doctors said he is stable and expected to survive. No other vehicles were hit. Pallets of packaged food were scattered and had to be cleared by forklift.

Rijkswaterstaat closed the A1 eastbound for three hours. The queue stretched 11 kilometers back to the A10 junction. Traffic was diverted via secondary roads through Naarden and Laren, causing gridlock in villages. Many commuters were late for work.

Initial inspection showed no mechanical failure. The load was within limits but shifted during the swerve, which worsened the rollover. The transport company said the driver was experienced and had rested according to tachograph rules.

The A1 reopened with one lane at 10:15 a.m. and fully by 11 a.m. Police continue to investigate. The lorry has been impounded for technical inspection.