A rush hour accident on the M57 has brought traffic to a standstill between Switch Island and Kirkby.
According to traffic management monitor Inrix, there is “very slow traffic” and one lane is closed in both directions from the A59 (Switch Island) to J6 A506 Valley Road (Kirkby).
Traffic was initially held in the wake of the accident, with huge tailbacks of queueing vehicles.
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19:53Katie Westwood
Images of the HGV
Our photographer has managed to get some images of the HGV involved in the accident, which happened just before Junction 6 of the M57.
The lorry is upright and facing the right way. It was heading in the direction of Kirkby when the crash occurred.
19:35Katie Westwood
Second M57 lorry crash in two days
This is the second major accident involving a lorry on the M57 in the last 48 hours.
Yesterday, the ECHO reported that a lorry crashed into a barrier on the motorway, also causing major tailbacks.
Emergency services were called to Junction 1 of the M57, near Tarbock Island, at around 4am yesterday morning. It is unclear if anyone was injured in the crash.
19:30Katie Westwood
Witness accounts from the scene
ECHO reader Alex drove past the scene of the accident just after it happened and reportedly had to swerve to avoid the debris.
She told us: “Debris was flying all over the road, and another car clipped a part of the barrier and it flung up at my car and hit the window. Thankfully didn’t cause any damage but debris was flying all over the road from cars hitting it.”
She added: “Cars were swerving after it happened. I had to swerve to avoid the debris. I think I missed it by a second or two.”
19:26Katie Westwood
Photographs from the scene
ECHO photographer Andy Teebay is near the scene of the accident.
He has captured the tailbacks from Switch Island heading towards Kirkby.
19:19Katie Westwood
Road set to reopen in ‘around an hour’
Merseyside Police have told us that the road will likely reopen “in around an hour”.
They also confirmed that a HGV “collided with the central reservation”.
19:15Katie Westwood
Update from Merseyside Police
Good news from Merseyside Police: there were no injuries reported, and no other vehicles involved in the accident.
19:06Katie Westwood
Traffic expected to be disrupted until at least 10pm tonight
National Highways have confirmed that one of three lanes are closed on the M57 southbound betwen J7 and J6.
They said “normal traffic conditions are expected between 22:00 and 22:15 on 5 April 2024”.
19:02Katie Westwood
The fast lane next to the collision is reportedly closed
A driver who passed the scene moments after the accident happened told the ECHO that police have closed the fast lane next to the collision.
18:57Katie Westwood
Reports of ‘debris’ over the carriageway
On social media, people reported seeing “a lot of debris” on the carriageway.
One Facebook user, who had driven past the scene of the accident said she saw an “articulated lorry had gone into the central reservation and hit the barrier”.
She added: “There was soil all over the fast lane on the opposite side of the motorway”, suggesting the lorry had shed its load.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
