Two rescued from car left hanging off M6 flyover

Firefighters were called to the M6 near Haydock, Merseyside, just after 8.30am today when a car was left hanging off the motorway with a drop of more than 30ft to the road below.

The two people in the car were "extremely lucky" to have escaped without serious injury.

Watch manager Chris Parrington said: "When we arrived the back of the car was overhanging part of the East Lancashire Road, but the car was relatively stable and pretty level.

"We had to use winches and cables to secure the vehicle before the two occupants could be helped out."

Hydraulic cutters and a saw were used to remove the door of the car to free the driver.

Mr Parrington said: "Both occupants of the car walked out assisted by firefighters and members of the North West Ambulance Service's Hazard Area Response Team.

"They were extremely lucky with a drop of more than 30 feet to the carriageway below."

Both people were taken to hospital for checks. One had suffered a leg injury but the other was uninjured.

The Highways Agency said two lanes of the southbound carriageway of the motorway remain closed after the accident, causing long delays.