A historic monument marking the center of Howden, East Yorkshire, was severely damaged after being struck by a vehicle on the morning of October 22. The incident occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. when a Range Rover collided with the 16-foot cross, which is a Grade II-listed structure located near the town’s minster.

The cross, originally erected in 1909 as a gift from a local widow in memory of her husband, stands atop a medieval three-stepped base. The monument is situated within a conservation area and serves as a notable landmark for the community.

Local Councillor David Howard, who witnessed the aftermath, described the scene as chaotic. “It’s in a real mess. It does look like a very, very interesting art installation at the moment,” he said, highlighting the extent of the damage and the cross’s current unstable state.

Authorities are currently investigating ownership of the cross as they assess options for its restoration or replacement. Councillor Howard emphasized the importance of preserving the site, stating, “It marks the centre of the town and it needs to be put back in some form—restored, repaired, replaced. That’s for the future. At the minute, we just need it to be safe and conserve as much as possible.”

Humberside Police responded to reports of the collision on Market Place, Howden. Their statement confirmed that emergency services attended the scene and that the Range Rover was recovered. The authorities noted that, fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. Following the incident, a temporary road closure was implemented but has since been lifted.

The local community is expected to be involved in discussions regarding the monument’s restoration, with officials focusing on both safety concerns and heritage preservation in the coming weeks.