Thelwall Viaduct M6 crash update as HGV driver suffers minor injuries
An investigation has also been launched into the circumstances that led to the major incident, with eyewitnesses urged to come forward.
Shortly after 6.50pm yesterday, Monday, Cheshire Police was called to reports of an incident[1] on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service also sent fire engines to the scene between junctions 20 for Woolston and 21 for Lymm, as well as a rescue boat and aerial appliance.
Officers, along with paramedics, attended the scene and found a lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.
In a statement this afternoon, Tuesday, Cheshire Police has confirmed that the driver of the lorry, a 56-year-old man, is not believed to have suffered any life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
Moreover, he was taken to hospital following the incident and is set to be discharged with suspected minor injuries.
Lane closures remained in place overnight on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the motorway barrier.
The scene on the M6 following the incident
The lane closures were lifted this afternoon following repairs to the barrier, and all lanes are now open.
Cheshire Police, assisted by recovery agents, worked to recover the lorry from the embankment below the carriageway, and the vehicle has since been moved, with officers releasing video footage of both the moment the lorry fell and of the recovery operation[2].
Inspector Anton Sullivan said: “This was a major operation right from the outset utilising a muti-agency approach.
“It is remarkable that the driver of the HGV was not more seriously injured, and that 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.
“Police, along with highways teams and the specialist recovery agents, have been working all day to recover the vehicle and trailer, which were completely destroyed.
“We have also worked to repair the damaged railing on top of Thelwall Viaduct, focussing on ensuring safety and a return to normal on the M6 as soon as possible.
Cheshire Police has released these photos of the lorry involved in the horror crash
“We want to thank members of the public for their patience with the delays that have inevitably occurred as a result of the incident.”
An investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, and anyone with any relevant footage or information should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML-1929945, or visit cheshire.police.uk
Having arrived at the scene, firefighters used technical rescue equipment to lower themselves and reach the casualty, who was handed over to the care of attending paramedics.
Crews applied water to cool the HGV and used bunding to contain a leak of approximately 1,000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle.
Andy Hallworth, a fire station manager who attended the incident, commented: “This was a very unusual scenario for us.
“It was getting dark and it was raining as crews arrived, so it was not the easiest rescue to set up, but we knew we needed to get to the casualty as quickly as possible.
“A technical rescue system was set up to enable a trained member of the crew to abseil over the edge of the bridge to get to the vehicle.
“Thankfully, the driver was able to remove themselves from the vehicle cab, so they have been extremely lucky.”
References
- ^ Shortly after 6.50pm yesterday, Monday, Cheshire Police was called to reports of an incident (www.warringtonguardian.co.uk)
- ^ officers releasing video footage of both the moment the lorry fell and of the recovery operation (www.warringtonguardian.co.uk)