M6 lorry crash LIVE: Motorway closed after vehicle plummets off Thelwall Viaduct

Lane closures to remain in place overnight following the major crash, Cheshire Police has warned.

Currently three lanes of four are closed on the northbound carriageway. One lane is open for traffic to pass through the scene.

There are currently delays of around 45 minutes.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.

"These lane closures will remain in place for some time, and are expected to continue into the morning. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route during this time."

Motorists are still being advised to avoid the M6 as lengthy traffic jams persist.

Fire and rescue workers could be seen earlier assessing the wreckage.

An image from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service show vehicles on the scene to recover the lorry.

An image posted on X shows smoke emanating from the lorry.

Footage has emerged on X of the lorry after it crashed through the barriers and landed on the ground beneath the M6.

Onlookers could be seen peering into void where the vehicle plummeted.

Queues of lorries can be seen backed up on the M6 heading northbound.

A driver on the M6 says he has been stationary for an hour.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 6.50pm on Monday 30 September, police were called to reports of an incident on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct, between junction 20 and 21.

"Officers 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 is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.

"Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.

"These lane closures will remain in place for some time, and are expected to continue into the morning. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route during this time."

The latest update from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed fire crews are now beginning to leave the scene.

"Crews are now bringing operational activities to a close and are starting to leave the scene, handing over the incident to partner agencies" a statement said.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) that had left the carriageway of the M6 northbound between Junction 20 and 21, close to the Thelwall Viaduct.

"On arrival, they found that a HGV had left the carriageway and overturned on an embankment. Crews used technical rescue equipment to lower themselves and reach the casualty, who was handed over to the care of attending paramedics.

"Crews have applied water to cool the HGV and are using bunding to contain a leak of approximately 1000 litres of bio-diesel from the fuel tanks of the vehicle.

"While the carraigeway was fully closed, lanes one and two have been re-opened by Cheshire Police and the Highways Agency."

The M6 is now open again from J20 to J21, however motorists should expect "lond delays" as only one lane is open heading northbound.

Good evening, this is Max Parry in London bringing you live updates following an incident on the M6 motorway.