The HGV smashed into the central reservation, causing a major diesel spillage
A major crash involving a lorry which was ploughed into the central reservation on the M6 has caused the busy motorway to be closed ‘for the rest of the day’. today (Monday, March 10).
Police, paramedics and Highways officers attended the crash near Preston, on the northbound carriageway between J31A for Longridge and J32 for the M55. The incident was first reported at around 1.10pm with a full closure put in place.
‘Severe delays’ built throughout the afternoon as emergency crews worked at the scene, with congestion on the M55 and 85-minute delays on the M61 northbound.
Horror pictures showed the aftermath of the collision, with the northbound carriageway completely closed off throughout the evening. The red HGV became wedged in the centre of the motorway and damaged the central reservation.
The driver, a man, was rushed to hospital for treatment. Further details have not yet been confirmed by Lancashire Police.
National Highways warned of ‘severe’ delays into Monday night, with one lane remaining closed on the M6 southbound and a full closure in place for the remainder of the evening.
It was revealed this was because of the damage caused to the carriageway and a subsequent ‘significant diesel spillage’ which ‘affected all lanes of the road’. It meant a full resurfacing operation was required on the affected road, taking place overnight.
In an update at around 6pm, National Highways North West said: “The M6 northbound in Lancashire remains closed between J31 & J32 near Preston following a collision involving a lorry which resulted in a significant diesel spillage.
“Unfortunately we’re expecting that the road will remain closed for the rest of the day. Delays are SEVERE.”
“We received a report of an HGV colliding with the central reservation of the M6 between J31 and J32 at around 1pm today,” a Lancashire Police spokesperson said. “A man is receiving treatment. The Northbound carriageway, and two lanes of the southbound carriageway are closed.”