Emergency crews have released pictures of the devastation that caused the M6 motorway to be shut for almost 24 hours.
The carriageway was fully closed in both direction between Junction 17 for Sandbach and Junction 16 for Crewe after a fuel tanker crashed into a bridge on Tuesday afternoon.
It caused at least 14,000 litres of fuel to leak out onto the road.
A second collision later occurred involving a heavy goods vehicle, which was carrying a 'significant quantity' of alcohol, and a van.
The crash caused the lorry to overturn. Luckily, the driver managed to escape unaided, fire crews said.
Firefighters also had to help the van driver out of his vehicle.
Both had to be taken to hospital by ambulance with the van driver's injuries described as serious.
Cheshire Police have been contacted for an update on the condition of both drivers.
Police and emergency services were deployed to the scene, where they remained until Wednesday morning.
Firefighters also worked to contain the fuel spillage from the first incident.
The motorway has now been fully reopened after 20 hours.
The northbound carriageway was reopened at about 1am but the southbound carriageway remained closed, causing major delays.
It eventually reopened at 11.30am and congestion is now beginning to ease, according to the Highways Agency.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesperson said yesterday: "At 1.58pm on February 16 police were called to a two vehicle collision on the M6 southbound at junction 17.
"Just after Sandbach services a wagon and a fuel tanker were in collision leading to fuel leaking onto the carriageway.
"Both the northbound as southbound are closed between junction 16 and 18 while Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service work at the scene.
"A second collision on the southbound carriageway involved a van and a lorry.
"The van driver is being taken to hospital with what are believed to be serious injuries."
A spokesperson for Highways England said: "The M6 in Cheshire has re-opened southbound between J17 and J16 following to two separate incidents.
"The road is open but an 'up and over' closure at J17 currently remains in place.
"There are currently residual delays of 60 minutes above normal journey times but this will now begin to dissipate."
