Dramatic M6 photos as trucker rescued after HGV falls 60m off Thelwall Viaduct

An HGV driver was rescued after his lorry plummeted 60 metres off the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6. Dramatic photos show how the truck crashed through a roadside barrier and landed onto an embankment beneath the motorway. Emergency services were sent to the scene on the northbound stretch between junctions 20 and 21 in Cheshire [1] this evening (September 30).

All lanes on the northbound carriageway were closed as a major operation got underway. Specialist equipment was used to lower firefighters down 60 metres to reach the driver whose injuries after not thought to be life-threatening. Police remained at the scene for a number of hours before one lane was reopened to allow trapped motorists past the scene.

The fire service said they were also using equipment to contain around 1,000 litres of biodiesel that had leaked from the fuel tanks of the lorry. A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 6.50pm on Monday 30 September, police were called to reports of an incident on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct, between junction 20 and 21. “Officers attended the scene and found a lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.

The driver of the lorry is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.

Lorry crashes off M6 Thelwall Viaduct

“Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit. “These lane closures will remain in place for some time, and are expected to continue into the morning.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route during this time.” A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) that had left the carriageway of the M6 northbound between Junction 20 and 21, close to the Thelwall Viaduct. “On arrival, they found that a HGV had left the carriageway and overturned on an embankment, falling approximately 60 metres.

Crews used technical rescue equipment to lower themselves and reach the casualty, who was handed over to the care of attending paramedics. “Crews have applied water to cool the HGV and are using bunding to contain a leak of approximately 1000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle. While the carriageway was fully closed, lanes one and two have since been re-opened by Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency.”

References

^ northbound stretch between junctions 20 and 21 in Cheshire (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
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