Driver ‘lucky to be alive’

A lorry driver cheated death after a motorway crash which closed the east-bound M62 overnight.

The crash happened at 6.30pm as two articulated lorries climbed the hill on the motorway between Milnrow and Saddleworth.

About a mile from junction 21 at Milnrow, one articulated lorry was in collision with another in front and the second lorry jack-knifed across the entire four-lane carriageway, hitting the central reservation.

The 45-year-old driver of the second lorry was trapped beneath the wreckage of his crumpled cab.

He suffered severe fractures, head injuries and a puncture wound to his back. Firefighters freed him and he was taken to Rochdale Infirmary.

His injuries are said to be serious but not life threatening.

Chadderton fire crew commander Nick Pine said: “He was lucky to get out alive.”

The east-bound carriageway reopened at 3.45am.