The M62 remains closed at the scene where a driver tragically died after a lorry burst into flames. Emergency services raced to the scene of a crash between two HGVs on the eastbound carriageway, near junction 10 just after 4.35am this morning (January 31).
One of the lorries then burst into flames, with one of the drivers passing away at the scene. The second driver escaped uninjured and is assisting police.
Throughout Tuesday, investigations into the serious collision were carried out as the typically busy motorway remained closed into the evening. The fire caused 'significant damage' to the carriageway, requiring an immediate repair and an 'extensive' recovery operation to dispose of hazardous material.
READ MORE Driver dies after lorry bursts into flames on motorway
An update from National Highways read: "Throughout the day an extensive recovery operation has taken place which has been complicated by the presence of a hazardous cargo. Recovery was successfully completed at approximately 5pm.
"Specialist resources then attended the scene to safely collect and dispose of the remainder of the hazardous material which was being transported by an involved vehicle at the time of the collision. Unfortunately significant damage has been caused to the carriageway surface during the initial fire and subsequent fuel spillage.
"An emergency resurfacing operation is now underway to plane the carriageway, resurface the affected area and repaint the road markings. Due to extent of the work required to we expect the road to remain closed throughout the night. There are currently no delays approaching the closure and the below diversion route is running without delay."
A diversion remains in place, with drivers directed along to the M6 southbound, exiting at J21 before re-joining the M6 northbound at J21. At the M6 J21a link with the M62, drivers can then re-join the M62 eastbound.
In a statement, a Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between two HGVs on the M62 at the Croft interchange. At 4.37am this morning (Tuesday 31 January) police were called to the collision at junction 10.
"One of the vehicles was on fire, and one of the drivers sadly died at the scene. The second driver is believed to be uninjured and helping police with enquiries."
Hours before, on Monday night, another stretch of the M62 eastbound was closed after a lorry burst into flames between junction seven for Rainhill and junction eight for Warrington West.
No injuries were reported, with the driver escaping the vehicle before it set on fire.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 1468300.
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