A HGV driver is in a ‘critical condition with life-changing injuries’ following a collision on the M62 in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday.

Officers from Merseyside Police were contacted just before 1.50am following reports that the driver of an HGV has been injured on the carriageway between junction seven for Rainhill Stoops and eight for Burtonwood.

The force says it is believed that the driver has been struck by his own vehicle, suffering serious leg injuries, before the vehicle was in collision with the nearside barrier.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The M62 was initially closed to allow investigative work, but has now fully reopened.

Sergeant Steve Smith, from the police’s Matrix Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are currently working to establish what has taken place in the lead up to this incident.

“I would ask anyone who was travelling along the M62 close to junction seven in the early hours of this morning who saw the vehicle or witnessed anything to contact us.

“We are also appealing for anyone with dash cam footage which could assist our investigation to get in touch.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call Merseyside Police’s Matrix Roads Policing Unit on 0151 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk or direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter, quoting reference 0052 of November 24.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service added: “We responded to a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian following a call at 2am.

“An advanced paramedic and an ambulance crew attended the scene to treat a male patient for severe injuries, before transporting him to hospital.”