A DRAMATIC incident which saw a group of more than a dozen suspected illegal immigrants cut their way out of an HGV and bolt for freedom when it arrived in Barnsley has been described by a shocked eyewitness.
Shakira Ramsey, 17, captured photographs of the escape in the yard of the B and B Trucks depot on Higham Lane, Dodworth, and told the Chronicle the occupants had fled before the police arrived.
“I have lived opposite the depot all my life and I noticed the HGV had parked up, but that was something which obviously was a regular occurrence,” she added.
“It was usual and there was nothing untoward.
“I don’t know why I was looking out of the window really but all of a sudden a hole appeared in the side and more than a dozen people, all men, started pushing their way through the plastic of the storage container.
“They all sprinted away but I have not heard if they were caught. They headed towards a woodland - there’s really not many places to go around the area as it’s near the M1 motorway and it was obvious they didn’t know where they were.
“It was the last thing I expected to see but the police were called and arrived at the scene at about 4pm. By that time the men had got away.
“I went to speak to the HGV’s driver, who was English, and he told me he had picked the lorry up at the port but hadn’t driven it through Europe.”
According to Belgium-based CLDN Cargo, the company whose lorry was used by the group, the vehicle had travelled from Germany to Hull before stopping off at B and B Trucks, last Wednesday afternoon.
Upon arrival police found a hole in the plastic side of the HGV’s rear container where the gang escaped, as well as another hole in the top where it is thought they gained entry.
B and B Trucks, when contacted by the Chronicle, confirmed the firm was aware of the incident but said the HGV had simply stopped off at the location.
South Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation but told the Chronicle yesterday that despite ‘extensive’ searches, none of the escapees have been found.
A spokesperson said enquiries were ongoing, adding: “Police were called at 3.58pm on March 6 to reports of suspicious activity surrounding a lorry at a premises in Higham Lane, Dodworth. It is reported that a number of individuals were travelling inside the lorry.
“Extensive area searches were carried out by our officers but to no gain. We did record a report of criminal damage for the owner of the lorry as there was minor damage to the trailer. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
