Thousands of litres of milk and diesel spilt as tanker overturns near Preston

Two people have been rushed to hospital following the incident earlier this morning (July 2)

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 2nd Jul 2023
Last updated 2nd Jul 2023

Lancashire Police say they're expecting part of the M6 to be closed for most of the day after a huge milk tanker tipped onto its side.

It's reported 20-thousand litres of milk and diesel has spilled onto the motorway.

The force confirmed the incident near Preston happened at around 7am this morning (July 2) on social media.

They say the milk tanker, which was travelling northbound, collided with the central reservation.

The tanker then carried on through, entering the southbound carriageway before overturning on to its side across the carriageway.

The force have also confirmed a man and a woman, the driver and passenger, have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Ch Insp Patrick Worden, of Lancashire Police, said: “At this time we expect the motorway to be closed for some if not most of the day.

“The tanker needs to be recovered and due to the large scale milk and diesel spillage, the motorway surface treated appropriately."

National Highways North West have confirmed the road remains closed this afternoon as recovery work gets underway to clean up the spillage and move the tanker.

Drivers have been subject to at least an hours' delay as diversions were put in place between junctions 31 and 33 in both directions.

Motorists are told to expect delays - and are urged to taken an alternative route.

As always - check before you travel on the National Highways website.

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