The motorway was fully closed on the southbound stretch at junction 28 while emergency services work at the accident scene for two-and-a-half hours on Thursday night.

The injured man was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra which was damaged by a 40ft HGV lorry, driven by a Scottish man, which collided with the back of the car.

Insp Simon Atkinson of Lancashire Constabulary said: "The Vauxhall Astra was pushed off the carriageway up the banking
and suffered extensive damage.
"As a result, the carriageway was shut for considerable amount of time causing quite a lot of congestion."

The North West Ambulance Service said paramedics used CPR on the man, before taking him by road ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital.

A spokesman for the service said the man had a serious spinal injury and was unsure whether he would survive.

Fire crews from Leyland and Chorley were also called to the scene but were not needed to free any casualties.

Police said the driver of the HGV suffered no injuries but was shaken. It was initially thought that another vehicle was involved, but a third motorist had a lucky escape.

It happened at around 5.25pm and the motorway re-opened around 8.30pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call 0845 1253545.