Force refers itself to watchdog after bridge fall

Lancashire Constabulary has referred itself to the police watchdog after a man who fell from a motorway bridge was hit by a lorry and a car.

He is in a critical condition in hospital after the incident on the southbound carriageway of the M6 at junction 27 for Charnock Richard at about 21:35 BST on Good Friday.

He was struck by a lorry and is believed to have then fallen into the carriageway, where he was hit by a car, police said.

A force spokesperson said Lancashire Constabulary had voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct "due to contact police had with the pedestrian earlier in the day".

Sgt Joe Calvert, from the force's road policing unit, said: "As a result of this incident, a man is currently in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

"Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones at this time."

The drivers of the lorry and Vauxhall Adam car both stopped at the scene.

"Nobody has been arrested and they are being treated as witnesses to the collision," the spokesperson said.

The motorway was closed in both directions following the incident but has since reopened.

Police have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.

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