Repairs complete after lorry fell 60ft off bridge

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Article information

Author, Stewart Whittingham
Role, BBC News
1 October 2024
Updated 4 hours ago

Dashcam footage captured the dramatic moment a lorry left a motorway carriageway and plummeted 60ft (18m) on to an embankment.

Cheshire Police said the 56-year-old male driver was not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries and he was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

It released dashcam images of the HGV's plunge as Insp Anton Sullivan said was "remarkable" the driver was not more seriously injured.

The overturned lorry pictured from above after it fell off the Thelwall Viaduct

Image source, PA Media

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used specialist equipment to lower themselves down to reach the driver.

Crews then used water to cool the lorry.

They also contained a leak of about 220 gallons (1,000 litres) of bio-diesel from the vehicle's fuel tanks.

Barrier repairs to the motorway bridge have been completed and all the lanes between junction 20 and 21 northbound have now been reopened, police said.

National Highways said the HGV has been recovered.

A fire engine with its lights on in the driving rain on the M6 above the crash site

Image source, PA Media

Insp Anton Sullivan said: "It is remarkable that the driver of the HGV was not more seriously injured, and other road users managed to escape unscathed.

"This incident had a rapid response and the scene was well managed by officers in dangerous motorway conditions, due to poor visibility and heavy rain.

"The recovery phase of the incident was hampered by poor weather and challenging terrain where the lorry had landed."

He said the the force, along with firefighters and Highways staff, had worked all day to recover the vehicle and trailer which were completely destroyed.

A lorry being towed away by a recovery truck after it fell off a motorway bridge on to an embankment

Image source, Cheshire Constabulary

He said they also repaired a damaged railing on top of the viaduct before things could get safely back to normal, and thanked motorists for their patience with the delays.

The inspector said an investigation into the cause of the plunge was ongoing and asked anyone with information or relevant footage to contact Cheshire Police.