Lorry that plunged off M6 pictured lying twisted among trees in new image
Lying twisted among trees and undergrowth, this is the HGV today at the centre of a 'complex' recovery operation after it smashed through barriers on the M6 motorway[1] and plunged 60ft down onto an embankment.
Miraculously, the driver is said to have suffered non life-threatening injuries in the horror incident during heavy rain near the Thelwall Viaduct on Monday night.
National Highways released the new image of the scene today as a specialist recovery operation was getting underway amid heavy motorway congestion.
The Manchester Evening News has asked Cheshire Police for an update on the driver's condition, but a force spokesperson said only it's believed they suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening. No further information has been revealed.
The image shows the lorry's cab lying side on in trees, with its wagon held up into the air at almost a right angle by trees and foliage. Rescue workers can be seen with torches surrounding the cab. Hero firefighters are said to have used specialist equipment to lower themselves down and reach the driver, who was passed over to paramedics.
Highways bosses said 'complex repairs' were underway on Tuesday morning along the busy section of the M6.
Emergency services raced to the scene (Image: Unknown)
Two lanes remain closed northbound in Cheshire, between junction 20 for Lymm and 21, for Warrington, after last night's collision. Rush-hour motorists are being warned over heavy congestion in the area.
In an update, National Highways reported delays of 60 minutes on approach - and approximately six miles of congestion approaching Thelwall Viaduct. "Specialist recovery crews are now arriving at scene," said a spokesperson.
"A complex repair operation is underway and will continue throughout the morning. Expect delays into the morning peak. Allow extra time." The incident also led to around 1,000 litres of diesel spilling out at the scene.
In a statement last night, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service 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.
Firefighters lowered themselves down to reach the driver (Image: PA)
"On arrival, they found that a HGV had left the carriageway and overturned on an embankment, falling approximately 60 feet. 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 1,000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle. While the carriageway was fully closed, lanes one and two have since been re-opened."
As of 6am on Tuesday morning, two lanes remained shut on the M6 with large delays, with disruption expected well into the day. The latest from travel service Inrix reads: "Two lanes closed due to emergency barrier repairs and earlier accident, a lorry involved on M6 Northbound from J20 M56 J9 (Lymm Interchange) to J21 A57 Manchester Road (Woolston)." No further details have been released.
References
- ^ through barriers on the M6 motorway (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ M6 latest after horror Thelwall Viaduct lorry crash as 'complex repairs' underway (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)