M6 shut for seven hours after lorry spills 32,000 litres of GIN onto motorway and sparks rush-hour chaos in Cheshire
THE M6 has been shut for seven hours after a lorry shed 32,000 litres of GIN onto the motorway.
Traffic was brought to a halt after two lorries crashed in Cheshire about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Motorists between junctions 19 ( Knutsford ) and 20 (Lymm Interchange) on the motorway were stationary for hours.
The huge spillage sparked three-miles of queues between J19 at Knutsford and J20 at Lymm and remains shut.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area while highway officials clean up the booze amid fears it could burst into flames.
Frustrated motorist Rachel Sargeant took to Twitter, writing: "Been sat on the M6 for two hours so far.
"[I am] 200 yards away from 32,000 litres of spilt gin!
"Heartbreaking that I don’t have a straw.";
Highways England said the spillage "requires entensive cleanup work".
Cheshire Fire and Rescue released a statement saying: "Due to the flammability of the alcohol a decision was taken to close the motorway in both directions as a precautionary measure.
SEVEN HOUR DELAYS
"Firefighters are currently working hard to stem the leak.
"Crews are also coating the spilt alcohol with foam to prevent it from igniting. "
The concentrated gin currently leaking from the tanker is said to be 80 per cent.
It is highly flammable, and there is a risk of explosion should it ignite.
Initially the northbound carriageway was closed but shortly after both directions were brought to a halt.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, North West Motorway Police Group, North West Ambulance Service and Highways England officers arrived at the scene.
Diversions were put in place via the A556 and M56, North West Motorway Police reported.
Travel monitoring website Inrix reported: "M6 Northbound closed, queueing traffic for 2.5 miles due to accident, two lorries involved and spillage of 32,00 litres of gin from J19 A556 ( Knutsford ) to J20 M56 J9 ( Lymm Interchange).
"The road has been closed since around 17.50. Diversion - via A556 and M56."
Cheshire Police tweeted: "The M6 remains closed at the current time [9.47pm] between J19 & J20 following a collision between two HGVs.
"One of the vehicles is a tanker carrying around 32,000 litres of concentrated gin which is leaking onto the carriageway."
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