M6 closed after lorry falls off bridge and crashes into ground below

30 September 2024 , 21:40

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M6 closed after lorry falls off bridge and crashes into ground below

The M6 has ground to a halt after a lorry has fallen off the Thelwall Viaduct and crashed into the ground below.

A number of lanes along the motorway are closed as police and fire crews have rushed to the scene in order to check for casulties and prevent nearly 1,000 litres of bio-fuel from leaking into the surface.

Pictures from the scene show the crumpled wreck of the overturned truck while a plume of smoke rises from the wreckage.

Located in Warrington, the Thelwall Viaduct carries the M6 motorway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey.

Cheshire Police have warned drivers of a ‘serious collision’ in the area and said: ‘Please be aware that a number of lanes are closed on the M6 northbound Thelwall Viaduct between junction 20 and 21, due to a serious collision.

‘The closures are expected to be in place for some time and motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.’

The driver is believed to be in hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

It is not known when the junctions are expected to re-open.

David Wilson