Emergency services rushed to the M6 northbound near the Thelwall Viaduct yesterday evening following reports of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) that had left the carriageway and overturned on an embankment, falling more than 60 feet.
Five fire engines attended the scene from Warrington, Lymm, Middlewich, Chester, and Powey Lane, along with a rescue boat from Warrington and an aerial appliance from Lymm.
Firefighters used technical rescue equipment to reach the driver of the overturned vehicle, who was subsequently handed over to paramedics for medical attention.
In addition to rescuing the casualty, crews worked to contain approximately 1,000 litres of bio-diesel leaking from the vehicle’s fuel tanks. Firefighters applied water to cool the HGV and used bunding to manage the spill.
Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency had initially closed the entire carriageway, but lanes one and two have since reopened to traffic. The incident, which took place between Junctions 20 and 21, saw substantial disruption to motorists in the area.
At just after 9pm,fire crews began bringing their operations to a close, leaving the scene in the care of partner agencies.
