A man has been taken to hospital following an overturned lorry on the A66 in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, March 22).

Cumbria Police were called to an incident on the A66 near North Stainmore, at 4.36 am as a lorry had overturned.

The man, in his fifties, was taken to James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough by ambulance, though the nature of his injuries is still unclear at this stage.

Read more: A66 closed to high sided vehicles after lorry overturns

The incident is thought to be because of the high winds that the region is experiencing, and the section of the road between A686 (Brough) and A67 (Bowes) was closed to vehicles in both directions.

The road has now been reopened following the overturned HGV and high winds, though one of the road's two lanes is still shut for final carriageway clear up works, National Highways has advised. 

Additionally, the westbound carriageway is closed to high-sided vehicles due to strong winds.

Traffic was stopped on a section of the A66 in both directions between the M6 J40 in Penrith, and the A685 in Brough for much of the morning – and delays should still be expected.

A spokesperson from National Highways said: “The A66 in Cumbria was closed westbound to all vehicles between the A686 (Brough) and the A67 (Bowes) due to an overturned HGV.

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“The HGV has come to a rest on the verge alongside the carriageway. Recovery units along with National Highway crews are in attendance and working to clear the scene.

“Traffic is being diverted via local routes.

“In addition, the westbound carriageway is also closed to high-sided vehicles only due to strong winds.”