Lorry driver has 'sneezing fit' and hits flats

Ambulance and fire crews responded to the incident

A lorry hit a block of flats after the driver had a "sneezing fit", according to one of the residents who had to be evacuated.

Surrey Police said it received a report at about 15:15 GMT on Tuesday that a vehicle had collided with a building's wall on Guildford Road in Milford at the junction with Old Elstead Road.

No-one was injured in the incident, the force added.

James Bainbridge, who lives in one of the flats, told BBC Radio Surrey he heard a "big crash" before going to help the driver.

"It sounded like a gas main exploded," he said.

The Co-op has been approached for comment

Mr Bainbridge said the driver was stuck inside the vehicle with both doors jammed on either side.

"He looked really pale and shook up," said Mr Bainbridge, adding that another man helped the driver get out by ripping down a fence.

He told BBC Radio Surrey that the driver, a man in his 50s or 60s, said he had a "sneezing fit" before the crash.

Mr Bainbridge added residents went down the pub for a few hours after police told they to leave the building while it was checked for safety.

One resident, who was away at the time, joked he always missed the fun

Martin Smith, who lives in one of the flats, told BBC Radio Surrey it was "lucky the whole building hadn't been taken out" and nothing worse happened.

"It is a really busy junction," he said.

Mr Smith was out of the house when the crash happened, but a relative had texted him a picture of the lorry.

"I always miss all the fun," he joked.

Guildford Road was temporarily closed, but it has since reopened, according to Surrey Police.

Structural checks on the building were being carried out, the force added.

Surrey Fire and Rescue and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended the scene.

The lorry was delivering for the Co-op, which has been approached for comment.