M6 Thelwall Viaduct: Repairs complete after lorry fell 60ft off bridge

Repairs on a motorway bridge where a lorry left the carriageway and fell 60ft (18m) on to an embankment below have been completed.

The lorry dropped from Thelwall Viaduct on the M6 near Warrington, Cheshire, at about 18:50 BST on Monday.

Cheshire Police said the 56-year-old male driver was not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries and he was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

National Highways said the HGV that left the Thelwall Viaduct was being recovered using local roads and all lanes on the motorway between junction 20 and 21 northbound had been reopened.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used specialist equipment to lower themselves down to reach the driver.

Crews then used water to cool the lorry.

They also contained a leak of about 220 gallons (1,000 litres) of bio-diesel from the vehicle’s fuel tanks.

Insp Anton Sullivan said: “It is remarkable that the driver of the HGV was not more seriously injured, and other road users managed to escape unscathed.

“This incident had a rapid response and the scene was well managed by officers in dangerous motorway conditions, due to poor visibility and heavy rain.

“The recovery phase of the incident was hampered by poor weather and challenging terrain where the lorry had landed.”

He said the the force, along with firefighters and Highways staff, had worked all day to recover the vehicle and trailer which were completely destroyed.

He said they also repaired a damaged railing on top of the viaduct before things could get safely back to normal, and thanked motorists for their patience with the delays.#

The inspector said an investigation into the cause of the plunge was ongoing and asked anyone with information or relevant footage to contact Cheshire Police.