TRAFFIC was thrown into chaos after a lorry turned over, sending tons of scrap metal down a motorway embankment at Burnley.

The large lumps of metal came to rest just feet from the Blackburn-bound carriageway of the M65 at Gannow.

The driver of the 40ft-long vehicle was freed by firemen using cutting and metal spreading equipment.

He was not seriously injured and went home after treatment and a check-up at Burnley General Hospital.

There was confusion and a heavy build up of traffic on the Gannow roundabout and Padiham Road yesterday afternoon as motorists trying to get on to the motorway found the slip road blocked off by police vehicles.

The incident occurred shortly after 1.30pm as the lorry, understood to be owned by a Whitworth company, turned left off Padiham Road to join the M65 and overturned on its right side.

The driver, who has not been named, was treated by paramedics and an emergency doctor at the scene.

The slip road was closed to traffic for two hours as cranes were brought in to remove the wagon.

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