AN overturned lorry caused traffic chaos for more than five hours after overturning at a busy junction - but the driver narrowly escaped serious injury.

James Wilton, of Rolleston Road, Blackburn, lost control of the vehicle as he turned from Whitebirk roundabout on to Whitebirk Drive M65 turn off.

A police spokesman said the lorry tipped on to the driver's side on the central reservation and the driver escaped through the windscreen with only minor cuts and bruises.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Firefighters from Blackburn and Accrington attended but the driver was free before they arrived.

The westbound carriageway of Whitebirk Drive was closed after the Lynch Trucks lorry overturned at 11.40am yesterday.

The road was blocked for five and a half hours, causing lengthy traffic jams around the busy M65 turnoff.

A police spokesman said the delays were caused because they were unable to move the lorry until they had unloaded the cargo of carpet underlay.

Staff from Lynch Trucks, Altham, helped recovery crews unload the vehicle and Blackburn with Darwen council staff cleaned the road.

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