Warning after lorry plunges 60m from bridge

A “complex repair operation” has begun to fix a motorway bridge after a lorry left the carriageway and fell 60ft (18m) on to an embankment below, authorities have said.

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

Cheshire Police said the driver was not believed to have suffered any “life-threatening” injuries.

National Highways said two of the four northbound lanes remained closed on the viaduct, between junctions 20 and 21, and warned drivers to allow extra time.

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

Crews used water to cool the lorry.

Bunding was used to contain a leak of about 220 gallons (1,000 liters) of bio-diesel from the vehicle’s fuel tanks.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area following the incident.

National Highways said a “complex repair operation” was under way and would continue throughout the morning.