A “selfish bystander” walked away with cartons of milk after a lorry overturned following an accident on the Redbridge Roundabout on Friday.

Ilford Recorder: The overturned lorry on the Redbridge Roundabout, taken by Ivor and Elaine Cooper.The overturned lorry on the Redbridge Roundabout, taken by Ivor and Elaine Cooper. (Image: Archant)

The driver of the vehicle was left in “shock” after his milk lorry fell on its side at the junction of the A12 Eastern Avenue at around 5.20am.

Ilford Recorder: The overturned lorry on the Redbridge Roundabout/A12 Easter Avenue, taken by JGPhoto.The overturned lorry on the Redbridge Roundabout/A12 Easter Avenue, taken by JGPhoto. (Image: Archant)

A Havering resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I first saw the overturned lorry when I was on my way to work but when I returned a couple of hours later the lorry was upright, and the process of clearing it up all up had started.

Ilford Recorder: An overturned milk lorry caused traffic chaos. Photo taken by Richard Brock.An overturned milk lorry caused traffic chaos. Photo taken by Richard Brock. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

“When I saw one selfish bystander cross the safety barrier, while his children stood by his side, and steal some of the milk bottles which had fallen out, I was gob-smacked.

“It seemed really low, considering the driver could be really hurt.”

A spokesman from Ilford fire station said: “When we arrived the lorry had tipped up and the road was blocked. The driver was in shock and had minor bumps and bruises.

“A lampost and traffic signal had also been knocked out of place.”

The London Ambulance Service sent one crew and a single responder by car and one patient was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital.

Two lanes were closed on the A12 for most of the day, so emergency repairs could be made.

James Galbraith, 20, of Royston Gardens, Ilford, added: “I live close to the roundabout and just suddenly heard this big bang which woke me up. I looked out the window and there were lots of fire engines.

“The lorry had gone through the crash barrier and the bottles had spilled out of the roof, and onto the walkway.”