Lorry wrecked after dramatic five-truck smash on busy motorway causes rush hour chaos
A multi-lorry crash[1] caused chaos as debris and boxes were strewn across a busy motorway on Tuesday morning. Four HGVs and a tanker were involved in the collision on the M6 at around 4am on June 4.
One of the huge goods trucks was left wrecked, with the drivers cab mangled and the windscreen shattered. The side panels of the lorry were bent out of shape, with the lorry’s cargo spilling out onto the tarmac.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the northbound carriageway of the motorway, between junctions 18 and 19 near Knutsford. Drivers [2]heading for Manchester are currently facing 12-mile queues following the smash, with slow traffic on the southbound side, reports Manchester Evening News[3].
Cheshire Police[4] have confirmed one person is believed to have suffered serious injuries in the crash and has been rushed to hospital[5]. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
Three lanes of the M6 northbound are currently closed. Cops say temporary closures may need to be put in place while recovery work is ongoing.
Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, of Cheshire Police, said: “I appreciate the disruption that this incident is likely to cause, and I want to reassure motorists that we are working hard to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
He added: “Local diversions are in place, but we are urging motorists to avoid the area and delay their journeys if possible.”
One of the lorries was left mangled with goods spilling out onto the motorway -Credit:North West Motorway Police
National Highways has warned drivers of “severe delays” lasting “up to 90 minutes” on the M6 northbound, adding that they’re dealing with a ‘large spillage across the road’ from two of the lorries involved.
A post on the National Highways website adds: “Recovery is ongoing, whilst specialist clean-up crews are also en-route to the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance assisting with traffic management.”
The entry slip road at junction 18, near Holmes Chapel and Middlewich, has also been closed. It follows drivers reportedly trying to reverse back off the motorway to avoid the queue. North West Motorway Police told users on X that “this is not acceptable”.
Anyone with any information in relation to the collision is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or online, quoting IML 1839287.
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References
- ^ multi-lorry crash (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Drivers (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Manchester Evening News (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Cheshire Police (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ hospital (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ here. (data.reachplc.com)