THE M56 has reopened this morning, Wednesday, following yesterday's tanker crash.

The incident caused major congestion between junctions 12-14, Hapsford and Runcorn, and the surrounding areas including Stretton.

Emergency services worked through the night dealing with the incident, as well as a second collision on the westbound carriageway which left three people with serious injuries, including a one-year-old boy.

Recovery work to remove the tanker was completed at 3.15am.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "The initial incident was extremely complex and involved an overturned HGV tanker carrying hazardous chemicals, which leaked onto the carriageway.

"Due to the nature of the tanker contents it took some time to establish the exact impact the chemicals could have on both people and the environment.

"Cheshire Fire and Rescue service followed a number of required procedures when dealing with spillages of this nature. These processes ensure the safety of the public and the emergency services staff who are required to respond to the immediate incident."

Drivers close to the overturned tanker were evacuated and escorted to an emergency shelter at Hapsford Services.


Residents in the area near to the incident were advised to keep doors and windows shut as a precautionary measure until emergency services were able to establish if there was any risk to public health.

Eight people suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision, five were treated at Hapsford Services and three more taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital but have since been released.

Crews used specialist equipment to remove the central reservation barriers in a bid to ease tailbacks in both directions and in order to deal with the spillage and the damage on the road surface.

The remaining chemicals were transferred from the overturned tanker and transported off site, and Highways England has now repaired the carriageway.

A second collision, resulting in serious injuries, occurred on the M56 westbound close proximity to the chemical incident.

The collision involved a car transporter and a car, and resulted in a 24-year old man, a 26-year-old man and a one-year-old boy being taken to hospital. They are described as being in a stable condition.

The police spokesman added: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public affected for their patience and support throughout the night.
 

"While we understand that it is frustrating to both residents in the area and to motorists using the road network, the emergency services work hard to minimise the disruption caused by incidents of this nature and to get people where they need to be safely and as quickly as possible.

"However, as with all major incidents of this nature our main priority throughout has been the safety of the public and dealing with those injured as a consequence of the ongoing incidents."