A 39-year-old man from Maidenhead was arrested after a flatbed van crashed into the front of the Horse & Groom Harvester in Polegate late on Wednesday night, 28 January 2026.
Incident Details
- Time & Location: Emergency services were called to the scene on High Street, Polegate
, around 11:30 pm following reports of the collision. - Damage: The vehicle, described as a highway maintenance-style van, caused substantial damage to the building's exterior and several outdoor benches.
- Injuries: The driver, who was the only person in the van, sustained minor injuries. No injuries were reported inside the pub, which had recently undergone a refurbishment in December.
Legal & Arrest Status
Sussex Police arrested the driver on suspicion of the following offences:
- Driving while unfit through drink.
- Failing to co-operate with a preliminary test.
- Assaulting an emergency worker.
The suspect remains in police custody as of Thursday afternoon. Despite the damage, the Harvester Horse and Groom confirmed in a social media post that it intended to open as usual on Thursday.
South East Water launches dedicated emergency support for livestock owners during a supply outages
Wealden high streets join The Big One Hundred celebrations with creative window displays
Sussex Weald MP meets farmers to discuss rural issues
Eastbourne tennis tournament attracts nearly 50,000 fans
Chicken nugget reward for diligent police dog
Man charged in connection with Sidley disturbance
Detectives release CCTV image of witness sought in St Leonards murder investigation
New Wilder Wealden partnership to reconnect habitats and support wildlife recovery across the district
