THE East Lancs reopened in the early hours of the morning at Carr Mill after being closed for eight hours due to an overturned tanker.
Emergency crews were called to the Toby Carvery Waterside at Carr Mill at about 4.10pm on Monday after the HGV and BOC tanker ended up on its side across the Manchester-bound carriageway.
It is believed the driver of the HGV may have suffered a medical episode.
It is understood a group of people dashed to the driver's aid and pulled him to safety through the cab's sunroof.
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In a statement police said: "It is believed that the driver may have suffered a medical episode and he has been taken to hospital by ambulance.
"No other vehicles were involved in the incident and no one else is injured."
Police closed the East Lancs Road A580 in both directions between Haydock and St Helens while a recovery operation took place.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed it had reopened shortly before 12.30am on Tuesday.
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