Lorry plunges off M6 motorway viaduct onto embankment below in terrifying crash through barriers
A LORRY has plunged off a viaduct on a major motorway in a terrifying crash this evening.
The HGV is said to have smashed through one of the barriers on the M6 at the Thelwall Viaduct in Warrington before landing on the ground below.
Three of the four motorway lanes are currently closed due to serious damage caused to the barrier.
The driver of the lorry is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.
Police officers were called to reports of an incident on the northbound carriageway between junction 20 and 21.
They found the lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.
The lane closures will remain in place for some time and are expected to continue into the morning, cops said.
The force advised motorists to avoid the area and find an alternative route.
Fire crews used rescue equipment to lower themselves to the driver.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service used water to cool the lorry and stopped a leak of around 1,000 litres of fuel from the vehicle.
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.”
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 carriageway was fully closed, lanes one and two have been re-opened by Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency.”