Overturned potato lorry shuts part of M5 in Devon
One person was injured in the crash but the injuries were not thought to be serious, police added.
Sgt Owen Jones, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the recovery operation proved difficult.
“Unfortunately it’s blocking all three lanes and the hard shoulder,” he said.
“We’re working hard to get it recovered but unfortunately 22 tonnes of loose potatoes are causing us quite some problems.
“It’s looking like an all-dayer.”
Mr Jones said the force had “quite a few officers” attend from “various parts of the force to give us a hand unloading these potatoes” before it could complete the recovery of the lorry.