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

Commuters driving between Manchester and Leeds are facing huge delays on the M62 after three lorries crashed, with one smashing through the central reservation and jackknifing on its side.

The motorway was closed in both directions at Milnrow/Shaw and tailbacks have snaked back 20 miles following the accident, which happened at 8.15am.

The driver of the lorry that careered through the reservation has been airlifted to hospital and is in a critical condition.

Diversions have been put in place and drivers heading towards Manchester are being funnelled onto the A672 to Denshaw.

Drivers heading to Huddersfield have been 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."

Drivers caught up in the chaos got out of their cars and tweeted updates of the congestion: