UDATED: THE M6 Southbound between junctions 19 and 18 was closed following a collision involving a HGV and a horsebox with firefighters cutting free a trapped horse .
Two fire engines attended, one from Lymm and one from Middlewich – along with the rope rescue unit from Bollington following reports of a collision on M6 at Knutsford, between junction 19 and junction 18 southbound.
On arrival the crews found that the collision involved a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) and a horsebox.
No injuries have been reported.
A horse was trapped within the horsebox but was cut free by firefighters after it had been sedated by a vet.
Both southbound and northbound carriageways were closed.
Drivers were asked to remain in the vehicles while waiting for the scene to clear.
A vet was in attendance to sedate the horse in order for it to be extracted from the vehicle.
The horse was eventually freed shortly before 2pm but there were still lengthy delays with traffic diversions in place.
All lanes were eventually re-opened around 4pm after some motorists had been stuck for around five hours.
The horse was then taken to an equine hospital but only for precautionary checks.
GOOD NEWS| The horse has now been rescued from the horse box and will go to an animal hospital for further checks.
Anyone waiting on the M6 is urged to get back into their vehicles for the road closures to be lifted.
Thank you all for your patience. pic.twitter.com/nN0icd33PL
— Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (@CheshireFire) April 18, 2021
⚠️ The #M6 southbound #J19 (#Northwich #Macclesfield #Knutsford #A556) to #J18 (#HolmesChapel #Chester #Northwich #Middlewich) traffic has been temporarily STOPPED due to a collision. pic.twitter.com/Tm4RxBVjgK
— Highways England (@HighwaysNWEST) April 18, 2021
