The lorry crashed through a barrier and fell off the M6. (Image: Unknown)
A lorry has plunged from the Thelwall Viaduct on the near Warrington tonight, prompting a full closure on the northbound carriageway between J20 for Lymm Interchange and J21 for the A57.
The HGV smashed through the barrier, tumbling off the bridge to land below. Emergency services, including police and fire brigades, are currently on-site, with the motorway completely shut down.
Travel monitoring service Inrix said: “M6 Northbound closed, stationary traffic due to a serious accident, a lorry involved from J20 M56 J9 (Lymm Interchange) to J21 A57 Manchester Road (Woolston).”
The specifics of the crash are yet to be disclosed.
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One driver shares pictures from the gridlocked scene
A driver on the M6 says he has been stationary for an hour.
When it rainsu2026u2026u2026u2026..sat for an hour now!Hope the drivers ok!! ud83dude4fM6 Northbound going over Thelwall Viaduct.
u2014 James Dansonu00ae (@james_danson)
Cheshire Police statement
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 6.50pm on Monday 30 September, police were called to reports of an incident on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct, between junction 20 and 21.
“Officers attended the scene and found a lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.
“The driver of the lorry is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.
“Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.
“These lane closures will remain in place for some time, and are expected to continue into the morning. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route during this time.”
Fire crews now leaving
The latest update from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed fire crews are now beginning to leave the scene.
“Crews are now bringing operational activities to a close and are starting to leave the scene, handing over the incident to partner agencies” a statement said.
Fire crews use rescue equipment used to save HGV driver as 1,000 litres of biodiesel leaks from fuel
A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson 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.
“On arrival, they found that a HGV had left the carriageway and overturned on an embankment. 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 1000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle.
“While the carraigeway was fully closed, lanes one and two have been re-opened by Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency.”
National Highways release a statement on X
The M6 is now open again from J20 to J21, however motorists should expect “lond delays” as only one lane is open heading northbound.
The in is now OPEN northbound between J20 () & J21 ().3 (of 4) lanes remain closed due to significant barrier damage on the Thelwall Viaduct. Traffic is passing via lane 1 only. Expect long delays on approach. Thanks for your patience.
u2014 National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST)
Welcome to our live coverage
Good evening, this is Max Parry in London bringing you live updates following an incident on the M6 motorway.