Everything we know after lorry crashes through M6 barrier into trees

A lorry crashed through a barrier on the M6, closing three lanes to traffic. The articulated vehicle was pictured having gone through a fence and into some trees next to the hard shoulder. Lanes of the motorway were closed for more than 12 hours after the crash yesterday afternoon, reopening in the early hours of this morning.

The driver was taken to hospital after ambulance crews were called to the scene at 2.45pm yesterday, January 12. National Highways West Midlands said there was also an oil spillage during the incident. A black-and-white photograph taken from a motorway camera showed the recovery operation taking place, with clean-up crews and vehicles at the scene.

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What happened?

A HGV was involved in a crash and went through a fence next to the hard shoulder. The vehicle was seen dangling off the side of the carriageway.[3] A fuel spillage also took place during the incident.

Where did the crash take place?

The crash took place between J6, for Spaghetti Junction, and J7, Great Barr, yesterday, January 11. National Highways West Midlands first tweeted about the incident at 3.19pm yesterday, January 11.

Ambulance called to scene

The motorist was taken to Walsall[4] Manor Hospital with injuries not thought to be serious after he "came off the road and crashed" on Thursday afternoon (Jan 11).

Ambulances had been called to the motorway at around 2.45pm, with three of the four lanes closed for several hours.

Eyewitness account

One motorist who witnessed the crash said: "I actually saw this happen on the other side of the road! There was an almighty screech and then the lorry crashed into the fence and down the embankment! Such a scary thing to see!"

Motorway reopened

The motorway has now reopened following the crash.

National Highways first tweeted about the incident at 3.19pm yesterday, January 11, later revealing that three out of four lanes had been closed.

National Highways tweeted at 2.31am this morning, January 12, that all lanes had finally reopened, almost 12 hours later.

References

1. ^ M6 lorry driver gets 12 month ban after stopping for cup of tea on live lane (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
3. ^ dangling off the side of the carriageway. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)