Car crashes into historic market cross in Howden
A pedestrian was taken to hospital after the crash in the town centre
Last updated 22nd Oct 2026
A car has crashed into a historic market cross in Howden, East Yorkshire, demolishing the landmark.
A gold Range Rover crashed into the monument shortly after 10.30am on Thursday, leaving the vehicle perched on the base of the wrecked structure.
One pedestrian is believed to have been taken to hospital following the crash outside the Shire Hall, according to the Press Association.
Local councillor David Howard said he was at home nearby when he was alerted to the crash, and went to the scene to see the damage.
"It's in a real mess. We're trying to work out who owns it, really," Mr Howard said of the cross.
"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," Mr Howard said.
"It does look like a very, very interesting art installation at the motor show at the moment. In fact, it's almost an album cover from an early 1980s rock band," Mr Howard said.
The independent councillor said there was some confusion over the history of the cross in the Market Place, close to the town's historic minster. He said he had believed parts of it were medieval, but had also been told it does not appear in some Victorian photographs.
What is known about the cross
According to the Historic England website, the structure is Grade II listed.
The heritage body says the base is medieval, but the cross itself, which stands sixteen feet, or five metres, high, was erected in 1909.
Mr Howard said the town centre is a conservation area, and that the crash could have been much worse. He praised the work of the fire service.
A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "Officers are in attendance following a reported road traffic crash in the area of Market Place, Howden, involving a car and a pedestrian at approximately 10.38am this morning."
"Road users are advised to avoid the area at this time whilst emergency services are dealing with the crash," the spokeswoman said.