Lorry plunges 60ft from motorway bridge – and driver survives
A lorry driver survived after his vehicle plummeted more than 60 feet from a bridge on the M6 in Cheshire.
The vehicle fell from the Thelwall Viaduct between junctions 20 and 21, landing on the embankment below.
The driver of the lorry survived the crash without life-threatening injuries.
Cheshire Police[2] were called to reports of an incident on the M6 shortly after 6.50pm on Monday.
Fire crews used rescue equipment to lower themselves to the driver.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue services at the scene of the incident
PA/Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service used water to cool the lorry and bunding to contain a leak of around 1,000 litres of fuel from the vehicle.
Three lanes are expected to remain closed on the northbound carriageway well into the morning due to the damage caused to the barrier, the force said. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.
Police have advised motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes during this time.
National Highways said “specialist recovery crews” had now arrived at the scene to undertake the “complex” repair operation.
References
- ^ Samuel Montgomery (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Cheshire Police (www.telegraph.co.uk)