The 46-tonne Demag crane with Mammoet livery was left upside down blocking the street.

The driver had a lucky escape as the windows were smashed and he emerged unscathed when the crane landed on the platform rather than the cab.

Local resident Denise Wilson told the Evening Chronicle:  “I heard a noise like a huge crack of thunder overhead and I looked out my window.

“The driver has had an absolutely brilliant escape, the windows were all out and we were worried he was injured, but he got out and sat down on the pavement in shock.

“One lady who saw it happen said the driver was coming down Ebchester Hill and the crane overturned.

“The hill is steep and has an escape lane at the end. What usually happens is that the brakes get hot as the vehicle goes down the bank so the brakes fail when they try to come down it.

“A few years ago a wagon full of tar tipped over on the same road.”