A van collided with the iconic De Luci Fish statue at the Erith roundabout on Monday, December 2. The crash caused considerable damage to the beloved landmark, with one side of the statue smashed and debris scattered around the area. The front end of the van was also badly dented in the incident.
The Metropolitan Police responded promptly to the scene and confirmed that no injuries were reported. There have been no arrests related to the collision. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated, “Officers attended the scene of a collision involving a van at the De Luci Fish roundabout. No injuries were reported, and the road was temporarily closed to allow for the vehicle’s removal.”
Following the crash, Gary Drostle, the artist who created the De Luci Fish statue, was called along with technicians to assess the extent of the damage. The road closure was brief and only lasted while the van was removed from the scene.
Although the statue remains standing, it has suffered visible damage and appears worse for wear. Authorities have not yet announced any plans for repairs or whether a full replacement of the statue will be undertaken. Local residents have expressed concern about the future of this cherished cultural landmark.
Updates regarding the restoration and future of the De Luci Fish statue are expected in the coming days.
Originally published by UKNIP.