Thelwall Viaduct accident: Lorry falls off M6 as motorway closed and major travel delays

A lorry has fallen off the Thelwall Viaduct and crash landed on the ground below, causing a number of lanes on the M6 to close – and they are set to remain in place overnight. The HGV is believed to have crashed through one of the barriers and fallen over the bridge, before smashing into the embankment below. Police [1] and fire crews have rushed to the scene and remain there with part closures along the M6 in place. A horrifying image of the aftermath shows the badly damaged vehicle lying on an embankment beneath the motorway, with plumes of smoke rising from the crash site.

The driver is understood to have been rescued and rushed to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening. Around 1,000 litres of biodiesel also spilled from the fuel tanks being carried by the vehicle during the collision, Manchester [2] Evening News reports. The Thelwall Viaduct, in Warrington, carries the M6 motorway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey.

Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier, while another lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit. Cheshire Police [3] say the lane closures will be in place “for some time.” Did you witness this incident? Let us know at [email protected]

Lorry falls off Thelwall Viaduct with M6 motorway closed major travel delays A lorry has fallen off Thelwall Viaduct in Warrington, causing the M6 to close

In a statement, the force warned drivers of the “serious collision”, saying: “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.” Emergency service crews used specialist rescue equipment to save the HGV driver after the collision this evening. 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. 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 carraigeway was fully closed, lanes one and two have been re-opened by Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency.”

There is currently standstill traffic on the M6 (National Highways)

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.

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.”

Lane closures to remain in place overnight

Lane closures are set to remain in place overnight following the major crash, Cheshire Police has warned. Currently three lanes of four are closed on the northbound carriageway. One lane is open for traffic to pass through the scene.

There are currently delays of around 45 minutes. A spokesperson for the force said: “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.”

What was the latest from Highways England?

Highways England said that three lanes, of four, remain closed on the M6, and specialist engineers will be required to repair extensive damage to the barrier. They tweeted: “3 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M6 northbound in #Cheshire between J20 (#Lymm) & J21 (#Warrington) following the earlier collsion.

Extensive damage to barrier where to lorry has left the carriageway and will require specialist engineers. There are 20 minute delays.”

One lane open with reduced speed limit

Three lanes are expected to remain closed on the northbound carriageway of the M6 until well into the morning. This is due to the damage caused to the barrier, according to police.

One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit but police have advised motorists to avoid the area. The lorry driver miraculously suffered non life threatening injuries. This is a breaking news story.

References

^ Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Manchester (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Cheshire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Google News (news.google.com)
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^ The Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)