M62 pile up
Huge queues of traffic have formed after a lorry crashed on the M62 Highways England

The M62 near Rochdale has reopened 20 hours after a lorry transporting 44 tonnes of butter smashed through the motorway's central reservation and into another four other vehicles.

Queues stretched back more than 20 miles on Monday (8 June) after the pile up, which saw the HGV collide with a car, a van and two other lorries on the opposite carriageway.

The lorry's driver was taken to hospital by air ambulance in a critical condition while the road remained closed over night.

Highways England this morning confirmed all lanes between junctions 22 and 21 have now reopened.

Traffic was brought to a standstill after the motorway was closed in both directions at Milnrow/Shaw, near Rochdale.

Diversions were put in place and drivers heading towards Manchester were funnelled onto the A672 to Denshaw. Drivers heading to Huddersfield were diverted along the A6193 towards Milnrow.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "The lorry went through the reservation, onto the opposite side, colliding with a number of vehicles. The lorry driver has been airlifted to hospital and is in a critical condition. It is unknown at this stage if there are any other injuries."

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