Injured driver arrested following breath sample after car overturns on M6 near Preston

Emergency services were mobilised after a silver car overturned near junction 29 at Walton Summit at around 8.20am.

The accident led to the motorway being closed northbound between J29 (Bamber Bridge Interchange, M65) and J30 (Blacow Bridge Interchange, M61) for around an hour.

Lancashire Police said the driver, a man in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after providing a breath sample.

The ambulance service has described the man's injuries as serious and he has been taken to Preston Royal Hospital for treatment.

Police said he has suffered a number of broken bones and cuts.

Earlier, a police spokesman said: "We were called at about 8.20am to a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision where a car was on its roof.

"Emergency services attended. Driver arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

"Road now reopen."

Fire crews rescued the driver who had been trapped inside the overturned car wreck, before paramedics rushed him to hospital.

A spokesman for NWAS said: "We took a call today at 8.22am to reports of an RTC on the M6 northbound involving a single vehicle.

"We sent a number of resources to the scene including a RRV (rapid response vehicle), an ambulance, two advanced paramedics and two bronze officers.

"We treated a patient in their 30s with serious injuries and took them to Royal Preston Hospital."

The Post has spoken to one of several people who tried to help the stricken driver.

Former fire officer Steve Ganner was at his allotment off Brindle Road when he heard an alarming sound from the direction of the motorway.

"It was a real screech of metal which went on for about seven or eight seconds," said Steve, who spent more than a decade in the service in Preston.

"I knew it was either something slipping down the motorway or a lorry had lost its load.

"When I saw what had happened, I scrambled over a fence and crossed the southbound carriageway - because I could see there was nothing coming - to get to the overturned vehicle.

"The guy was trapped, but speaking and there didn't seem like there was a risk of explosion."

There are still delays of at least 30 minutes with traffic queuing back to J28 at Leyland.

More to follow...