Team praised for swift action following fatal crash

Wye Valley Demolition commended for rapid response after bin lorry tragedy

WV DEMOLITION has been commended for its rapid response following a tragic accident in Leominster that left one man dead and two others seriously injured.

The incident occurred at around 6.35am on November 11, 2025, when a bin lorry crashed into the former Golden Lion pub at the Mill Street and Bridge Street roundabout on the A44.

Andzie Richard “Stan” Stanik, 62, one of three men travelling in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The lorry driver and a second passenger were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, though none were considered life-threatening.

The collision caused significant damage to the three-storey Grade II-listed building, which has stood empty for some time after previously operating as an antiques dealership.

WV Demolition’s quick-thinking Operations Director, Terry Davies, was en route to a job at Croft Castle when news of the crash reached him. Recognising the severity of the situation, he diverted to the scene and offered the assistance of his team to help make the site safe and restore traffic flow.

It was a terrible tragedy that someone lost their life while going about their work, and our hearts go out to the victim's family and friends - TERRY DAVIES

“It was a terrible tragedy that someone lost their life while going about their work, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” Terry said.

“We did what we could and asked the council if they needed any help – which they did.”

Emergency demolition was required to secure the unstable structure, and WV Demolition worked closely with Herefordshire Council’s structural engineer.

With much of the right-hand ground floor of the historic pub destroyed, the decision was taken to demolish the building’s extension to eliminate further risk and allow the A44 to reopen.

A straight-stick Komatsu PC210 excavator was used to carry out the controlled demolition, with crews working throughout the day to stabilise the site. The road reopened the following morning.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council emphasised the difficult balance between heritage preservation and public safety: “We would of course always want to preserve historic buildings as much as possible, but we must balance this with public safety needs.”

The accident attracted national media attention, with television coverage showing demolition teams at work to make the area secure.

“As well as sending our deepest condolences to the family of the victim, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the Wye Valley Group for such swift and decisive action, enabling a speedy response.

“In co-operation with others, we were able to get the job done and the traffic flowing again with the minimum of disruption.”

An inquest into the tragic accident was opened by the Herefordshire coroner at Hereford Town Hall on November 19.