A lorry carrying telegraph poles smashed into a row of parked cars in a Black Country street – after its mechanical arm flew loose as the driver went over a speed bump.

See also: Pictures: Lorry crashes into row of parked cars

Two cars were written off and another two badly damaged in the accident, which caused around £10,000 damage.

Shocked onlookers said it was a miracle no-one was hurt in the freak incident in Wolverhampton.

The lorry’s arm struck a silver- Ford Focus, a silver Honda Civic, a green Honda Accord and silver Volkswagen Golf parked outside homes in Caledonia Road, All Saints.

The commotion set off alarms up and down the street and brought families rushing out of their homes.

Resident Brian Baird saw the drama at 5.30pm yesterday and took photographs on his digital camera.

The retired 66-year-old said: “I heard a huge bang and went outside to see what was going on.

“The cars were smashed up and at least two were completely written off. The impact had shunted them down the street.

“As the lorry went over one of the sleeping policemen, its arm slid out and dug into the cars.

“We were lucky that no one was hurt. Everyone was out in the street watching.”

The road was blocked for more than an hour as the damaged cars were towed away. A 54-year-old man, who did not wish to be named, said: “Some of the cars were torn to shreds – it is only a small street with cars lined down either side.”

The lorry belonged maintenance company Enterprise, which was unavailable for comment today. The company collects bins for councils including Wolverhampton as well as telecoms, and housing maintenance.

By Elizabeth Joyce