Thelwall Viaduct horror accident - M6 traffic at a standstill as lorry topples from bridge

Police say lane closures along the M6 will be in place "for some time" following the horror accident, which saw 1,000 litres of biodiesel spilled from the van's fuel tanks

The M6 has been brought to a standstill after a lorry fell off the Thelwall Viaduct and crash-landed on the embankment below.

A number of lanes remain closed as emergency service crews deal with the aftermath of the horror crash, which saw the HGV break through one of the bridge's barriers and crash into the ground, causing smoke to rise up from the scene of the collision. Police and fire crews remain on scene with part closures along the M6 still in place, and expected to last "for some time".

The driver of the lorry 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.

The Thelwall Viaduct, in Warrington, carries the M6 motorway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, 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 should be expected to continue into the evening.

In a statement, the force warned drivers of the "serious collision", saying: "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. The closures are expected to be in place for some time and motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes."

It later added: "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."

National Highways said in its most recent statement: "Traffic has been STOPPED on the #M6 northbound in #Cheshire between J20 (#Lymm) and J21 (#Warrington) due to a serious collision. All emergency services are attending the scene. More information to follow shortly. Thanks for your patience if you're held up."

The latest update from Inrix reads: "M6 Northbound closed, stationary traffic due to serious accident, a lorry involved from J20 M56 J9 (Lymm Interchange) to J21 A57 Manchester Road (Woolston)."