THE M62 has been opened again after a serious collision in which a lorry jack-knifed onto the central reservation.

Traffic heading from Liverpool to Warrington was badly affected, with delays of two hours reported. 

Cheshire Police says the lorry collided with other vehicles, before ending up in the central reservation.    

A woman has been taken to Aintree Hospital with neck and head injuries by the air ambulance, according to the North West Ambulance Service.

A spokesman for NWAS said the hospital had been given advanced warning of her arrival.

The crash happened on the eastbound carriageway between J6, Knowsley Expressway, and J7, St Helens Linkway at 8.44am today, Wednesday.

The eastbound carriageway was completely closed following the incident.

Emergency crews were called including two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and an air ambulance, police, Mersey Fire and Rescue, and the Highways Agency.  

Fire crews had to cut a man free from a vehicles, say police.

And the NWAS said a man has been taken to Whiston Hospital with minor injuries.

Traffic was diverted onto the Knowlsey Expressway, and the A562 towards Widnes.  

Surrounding routes are also reported to be congested.