M6 closed by tanker crash

The incident, involving a single heavy goods vehicle tanker, happened at lunchtime between the entry and exit sliproads at 27 (Wigan and Parbold).

The northbound carriageway was also closed to allow the air ambulance to land and Highways England warned that the closure could be in place for at least four hours.

A spokesman said: "Avoid the area if this is part of an essential journey. "

A diversion was set up involving using the entry and exit slip roads at then junction. The northbound carriageway reopened shortly before 4.30pm, but a Highways England spokesman said the southbound closure was likely to remain for several hours as recovery work continued

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