Lorry crash on M6 cracks concrete bridge support and closes motorway

The lorry was left a wreck of twisted metal after hitting and cracking the concrete stanchion of the bridge near Broughton, Lancashire, around 6.45am on Thursday.

The driver suffered no life-threatening injuries but will remain in hospital overnight, Lancashire Police said.

The lorry was travelling southbound when it hit the bridge, between junction 32 and 33.

After an inspection the bridge has now been declared unsafe and the motorway closed in both directions.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, with delays of one hour already on the approach to the accident.

Police have set up diversions on the M6 and the nearby M55 which takes traffic to Blackpool and expected to be busy for the hottest day of the year.

North West Motorway Police has tweeted that a bridge engineer has confirmed the road closures will remain in place until workers can get props in place under the structure.