A lorry driver has smashed into a bridge on the M6 motorway, causing significant delays for hundreds.
Hundreds of people were left stuck in sweltering heat after the crash, which took place between junction 32 and 33 in Lancashire.
The lorry was left a wreck of twisted metal after hitting and cracking the concrete stanchion of the bridge near Broughton, Lancashire, around 6.45am on Thursday.
The driver suffered no life-threatening injuries but will remain in hospital overnight, Lancashire Police said.
After an inspection, the crash was deemed so severe that the bridge was declared unsafe and the motorway closed in both directions.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area, with delays of at least one hour on the approach to the where the accident took place.
Police have set up diversions and the nearby M55, which takes traffic to Blackpool, was expected to be busy for the hottest day of the year.
North West Motorway Police has tweeted that a bridge engineer has confirmed the road closures will remain in place until workers can get the required equipment in place under the structure to fix it.
Agencies contributed to this report
