WITNESSES told how they heard the lorry coming down the hill with the driver desperately sounding his horn.

Clare Burchett, was on the phone at Grants Residential Lettings, Crendon Street, when she heard the terrifying noise of the lorry rumbling down at speed.

She said: "I heard the sound of banging metal coming down the road at incredible speed. You could tell something was wrong as he was tooting his horn so wildly. There were people at the junction and in the middle of the island at the bottom of the hill.

"Two people jumped out of the way. I saw a man come out of the estate agents covered in rubble with a phone dangling from his hand. He just looked pale and in shock."

Michelle Lenton, of Roger Platt Estate Agents, Crendon Street, was chatting on the phone.

She said: "I heard an awful racket and just caught sight of the lorry as it whizzed by the shop at a tremendous speed. It was quite obvious that something had gone horridly wrong. There was no screeching from his brakes like you would expect, just the horn being blasted and next thing there was just a great crashing sound."

Rychard Goddard, manager of Wycombe Wines, Crendon Street, added: "I heard this incredible smash and then a noise getting louder and louder. Then the lorry flew by and I heard the hiss of what sounded like air brakes. I ran out of the shop and saw people running down, others on mobiles and others just standing outside their offices. You feel so helpless and I was very shook up. It was a nightmare, absolutely horrible."

Caesar Matthias, owner of Matthias Estate Agents, next door to Aitchisons, said: "It was like an earthquake with all the walls shaking and everything rattling."

Stephen Cornwell, manager of Chancellors Mortgage Advisors, Easton Street, said: "I tried to call the emergency services but the lines were jammed. People with phones in their hands were running to the scene."