Man dies as HGV crosses motorway

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A man died and three others were injured when a lorry crossed a motorway central reservation and hit oncoming traffic.

The HGV was travelling south between junctions three and four of the M61 near Farnworth, Greater Manchester.

It collided with two vans and at least one car, landing on its side.

Police said at least one person died and three men had to be taken to hospital. The motorway is expected to be shut until 0630 BST on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said: "An HGV travelling south on the M61 crossed the central reservation and struck a number of vehicles travelling northbound."

Critically hurt

The M61 runs from Preston, Lancashire, to the Manchester's M60 ring-road.

Police said that both carriageways between junction one, the link to the M60, and junction four, the turning for the A6, will be shut until the early hours of Tuesday and they warned of delays.

Parts of the nearby A580 East Lancs Road are also affected.

The lorry came to a halt on its side, covering almost all three lanes of the road, the fire service said.

The three injured men were taken to Royal Bolton Hospital. Two were seriously injured and one was critically hurt.