A woman police officer 'narrowly escaped death' after dodging a military truck which rampaged through Norton Fitzwarren on Sunday.

A local resident and witness to the incident told the Wellington Weekly how the officer managed to avoid being hit by the rampaging vehicle by jumping into a coach house parking bay on Station Road.

Damage visible to one property appeared to show the truck had been driven out from a garden, taking some of the building with it
Damage visible to one property appeared to show the truck had been driven out from a garden, taking some of the building with it (Tindle )

Other residents told of their shock that the incident rocked the ordinarily 'quiet' village. One woman said" "We've never seen anything like it, we have been here for a year and never had a disturbance."

On Monday, September 11, some of the wreckage had been cleared but signs of the incident, which saw the truck smash through a police blockade, remained visible.

One of a number of cars damaged by a rampaging military vehicle was seen moved to the roadside on Monday
One of a number of cars damaged by a rampaging military vehicle was seen moved to the roadside on Monday (Tindle )

An address on the road was seen with its front garden wall completely destroyed. Elsewhere along the street a number of cars were damaged, a road sign had been knocked down, and an electrical box collided with.

Police have since arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. On Sunday police attended an address where the suspect was reported to be making threats, prompting him to flee in a military truck.

The truck caused damage along much of the road, where it hit cars, walls and 'narrowly avoided' a police woman
The truck caused damage along much of the road, where it hit cars, walls and 'narrowly avoided' a police woman (Tindle )

The suspect smashed his way through Norton, before making it to the A361 M5 overbridge where he clambered over the railings.

Quick thinking lorry drivers staged a swift response by parking their vehicles below the suspect, and were praised by police for ' offering to help with their lorries to safeguard a person in crisis.'

The suspect remains in police custody.