Wynn Evans, 63, said he was making a cup of tea in his 500-year-old home when he heard the "almighty thud" of the truck striking the overhang. The collision caused damage to beams, tiling and a window, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

"I knew that if I simply called the police all they would have to go on was a vague description of the lorry," said Evans, who had been in the hospital earlier in the day for tests related to his upcoming heart bypass surgery. "So I jumped in my car and followed it and called the police as I went."

Evans chased the truck across three counties until officers caught up and arrested the 68-year-old truck driver on suspicion of careless driving.

Police said the truck driver was later released, but the case has been sent to prosecutors to decide whether charges will be filed.