A lorry driver is fighting for his life after crash which closed part of the M6 this morning.
The northbound carriageway of the M6 between Junction 25 Bryn to Junction 26 Orrell Interchange is closed after reports the HGV came of the road onto a grass verge just after 7am on Friday.
Ambulance officials confirmed the driver of the lorry has been taken to hospital and is 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.
Highways England warned of delays stretching over an hour as accident investigation work got underway.
As of 10.30am the motorway remained closed northbound.
Confirming the lorry driver is fighting for his life a North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said he had been taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan.
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She 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.
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