A lorry driver has died after a crash which closed part of the M6 this morning.
The northbound carriageway of the M6 between Junction 25 Bryn to Junction 26 Orrell Interchange was closed after reports the HGV came off the road onto a grass verge just after 7am on Friday.
Ambulance officials said the driver of the lorry was taken to hospital and in a critical condition after "falling ill" at the wheel.
Police confirmed the closure and urged motorists to find an alternative route with congestion stretching back to Junction 23 at Haydock.
A diversion was put in place via the A49 into Wigan and the A577 back towards the M6 at J26.
Dad fuming after police called when he told off his three-year-old daughter
Highways England warned of delays stretching over an hour as accident investigation work got underway.
As of 10.30am the motorway remained closed northbound.
A North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the lorry driver was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan.
Police have now been confirmed that he has died.
An NWAS spokeswoman initially told the ECHO : "We were called at 6.20am to junction 24 to 25. It looks like a man in his early 60s had fallen ill at the wheel. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition."
Nobody else is thought to have been hurt and no other vehicles were involved.
For the latest news and breaking news visit http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/ .
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
