[P]olice are dealing with a serious collision on the A66.
The incident, which involves two HGVs, occurred after the bypass towards Kirkby Thore.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 9.35am to reports of a two vehicle (HGVs) collision on the A66 near to Kirkby Thore.
“The driver of one HGV, a man in his 50s, from Scotland, was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in a land ambulance.
“The driver of the other HGV, a man in his 40s, was taken to James Cook hospital in an air ambulance.
“The road is expected to be closed for 5-6 hours, in both directions.
“Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes.”
A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “On arrival on scene the doctor and paramedic worked alongside NWAS paramedics and Cumbria Fire and Rescue service personnel to free the driver of one of the HGV who was trapped in his lorry which had flipped upside down and sustained severe damage, trapping the driver.
“The crews worked together for just over an hour to free the driver, who once free was flown to hospital in Middlesborough with serious multiple injures.”
A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 9:43am firefighters were called to reports of a collision on the A66, Low Moor near Penrith, involving two HGVs.
“Crews attended the scene and used specialist cutting equipment to release one casualty who was trapped in one of the vehicles.
“The casualty has since been passed to the ambulance service.
“Firefighters were at the scene for around two hours.”
Eastbound diversion follow Solid square symbol.
Return to M6 J40 and travel south to J38 and exit the motorway.
Take the first exit onto the A685 and follow to Brough to re-join A66.
Westbound follow hollow triangle. As above in reverse.
Please allow extra time for your journey should you be travelling in the area.
For up-to-date information on the roads please visit https://www.cumbria.police.uk/Traffic/Traffic.aspx
