Lorry driver airlifted to hospital after M62 crash
The M62 motorway is closed in both directions following a serious collision in which a lorry driver was seriously injured.
Image: Highways England.
Police said a lorry went through the central reservation of the M62 on to the opposite side, colliding with a number of vehicles at about 08:15am.
The lorry was carrying 44 tonnes of butter and a clean-up is underway.
A “substantial diesel spill” has also damaged the carriageway that needs resurfacing.
Critical condition
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “The lorry went through the reservation, onto the opposite side, colliding with a number of vehicles.
“The lorry driver has been airlifted to hospital and is in a critical condition. It is unknown at this stage if there are any other injuries.”
Diversions have been put in place and drivers heading towards Manchester are being funnelled onto the A672 to Denshaw.
Drivers heading to Huddersfield have been diverted along the A6193 towards Milnrow.
Motorists have also been tweeting updates.
Air Ambulance leaving the #M62 accident this morning the emergency services responded ridiculously quickly #respect pic.twitter.com/cpckM8ucW2
— Steve Curry (@stevecurry1970) June 8, 2015
Been sat on the #M62 for 2 hours and a half now. Wondering if the Tesco lorry next to me wants to give me some food!#starving
— Amy Victoria Smith (@amyvictoria7) June 8, 2015
Well that's 4 hours of my life I'll never get back #M62
— Nick (@JustNickTT) June 8, 2015
So sorry for the driver wish him well no one there to guide you off motorway had no idea where I was going got home at 12.45am police need to put a better system in place when these accident happen prayers are with family’s off the injured