Lorry falls off motorway bridge causing road closures and major travel delays

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A lorry has fallen off a motorway bridge taking the road over a river, landing on the ground below and causing huge traffic delays and road closures.The HGV fell from the Thelwall Viaduct, which carries the M6 motorway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, in Lymm, Warrington, Cheshire.It is believed to have smashed through a barrier before falling from the bridge, then crashing into the embankment below, The Mirror reports.

Police and fire crews have rushed to the scene and remain there with part closures along the M6 in place. A horrifying image of the aftermath shows the badly damaged vehicle lying on an embankment beneath the motorway, with plumes of smoke rising from the crash site.The driver is understood to have been rescued and rushed to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening.

Around 1,000 litres of biodiesel also spilled from the fuel tanks being carried by the vehicle during the collision.Manchester Evening News reports three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier, while another lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.

Cheshire Police say the lane closures will be in place "for some time." In a statement the force warned drivers of a "serious collision" in the area.It said: "Please be aware that a number of lanes are closed on the M6 northbound Thelwall Viaduct between junction 20 and 21, due to a serious collision.