M6 drone footage of Thelwall Viaduct after horror lorry crash

A drone was sent up on Tuesday morning following the accident on the M6 which saw a lorry plummet more than 60 feet over the side.

The HGV landed on the embankment below after crashing through the barrier, with the driver ‘extremely lucky’ to escape with minor injuries.

An investigation has also been launched into the circumstances that led to the major incident, with eyewitnesses urged to come forward.

Shortly after 6.50pm on Monday, Cheshire Police was called to reports of an incident on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service also sent fire engines to the scene between junctions 20 for Woolston and 21 for Lymm, as well as a rescue boat and aerial appliance.

Officers, along with paramedics, attended the scene and found a lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.

The driver of the lorry, a 56-year-old man, was discharged from hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Inspector Anton Sullivan said: “This was a major operation right from the outset utilising a multi-agency approach.

The scene of the crash on the M6 at Thelwall Viaduct. Picture: SWNS

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

“We want to thank members of the public for their patience with the delays that have inevitably occurred as a result of the incident.”

An investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, and anyone with any relevant footage or information should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML-1929945, or visit cheshire.police.uk

Having arrived at the scene, firefighters used technical rescue equipment to lower themselves and reach the casualty, who was handed over to the care of attending paramedics.

Crews applied water to cool the HGV and contained a leak of approximately 1,000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle.

The scene of the crash on the M6 at Thelwall Viaduct. Picture: SWNS

Andy Hallworth, a fire station manager who attended the incident, commented: “This was a very unusual scenario for us.

“It was getting dark and it was raining as crews arrived, so it was not the easiest rescue to set up, but we knew we needed to get to the casualty as quickly as possible.

“A technical rescue system was set up to enable a trained member of the crew to abseil over the edge of the bridge to get to the vehicle.

“Thankfully, the driver was able to remove themselves from the vehicle cab, so they have been extremely lucky.”