Lorry thunders the wrong way on M1 but miraculously avoids a crash — as cops intervene

A LORRY thundering the wrong way on a major motorway miraculously avoided a pile-up — after police intervened.

Cops managed to seal off the M1 between junctions 39 and 40 near Wakefield, West Yorks, shortly after 1.30pm today.

1

A photo half an hour later showed the road re-opened to traffic.

The lorry’s tractor unit was seen facing the wrong way in the slow lane.

Police shut the carriageway until they were sure there would be no collisions.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix said at 2pm "Queueing traffic and two lanes closed due to vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road on M1 Northbound."

READ MORE IN MOTORS

MONEY MAKER

Drivers just realising they can save money with little-known 20p coin hack

BRAKE DOWN

Moment cops find huge 'chop shop' filled with stolen vehicles and camper vans

It is unclear where the lorry joined the motorway.

It is also unknown if the driver was arrested.