MORE than a dozen people have been rescued from the back of a lorry in Chippenham, police have confirmed. 

Police statement in full

We were called by a member of the public shortly before 8.30pm this evening following a report of suspicious activity involving a lorry on the A350 near Chippenham. 

Officers attended the scene and located 15 people in the rear of the vehicle. 

At this early stage of our investigation, we believe they are all over the age of 16. 

Colleagues from the ambulance and the fire service attended the scene and carried out initial medical checks - fourteen of these people are currently being conveyed to custody, while one person has been taken to hospital for further checks – they are not believed to be in a serious condition. 

A road closure has been put in place on the A350 at the Kington Langley crossroads while the lorry is recovered. 

In addition, one man, aged in his 50’s, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting with illegal entry and taken to Swindon custody for further questioning. 

Eyewitness account

Robert Burton, 31, from Chippenham, was driving down the A350 when he saw the incident unfold. 

“Two ambulances passed us. We saw another five or six police cars then another three or four ambulances,” he said.

“We saw immigrants being pulled out of the lorry.

“One man had a jacket with the hood up. There was another man being treated.

“It was shocking. You expect it in the city. You don’t expect it in a small market town.”

First images from the scene

Traffic officers are currently inspecting the plain white HGV.

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