Lorry slams into bridge on the M6 and closes road
THIS dramatic image shows how a lorry slammed into a bridge on the M6.
A section of the motorway was shut southbound between junction 33, for Fleetwood, and junction 32, for Preston, yesterday as the impact of the collision has left the bridge unsafe. Emergency services are at the scene and specialist engineers are carrying out checks on the bridge.
Festival-goers heading north to Cumbria’s Kendal Calling at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, were advised to a void the M6.
A tweet from North West Motorway Police said the HGV driver has “no life threatening injuries”.
The tweet said: “The Driver - No life threatening injuries but will remain in hospital overnight - Which is good news folks.”
Drivers are being diverted off the motorway onto the M55.
A statement from Highways England said: “The M6 in Lancashire is closed in both directions between J33 and J32 due to a collision where a HGV has collided with a bridge making it unsafe.
“Emergency services are on scene and we have a specialist team enroute to assess the bridge. Please allow extra time for your journey, should you be travelling in the area.”
Phil Stockford, emergency planning manager for Highways England in the North West, said: “The safety of road users is our priority and we cannot reopen the motorway until we are happy it is safe to do so.
“We already know the bridge has been damaged but we currently have specialists on scene inspecting the bridge who will advise on what needs to be done to make the bridge and motorway safe.”