A lorry shedding its load of clothing on the M2 northbound near Templepatrick has caused significant traffic disruption during Thursday evening rush hour, with emergency services working to clear the debris and ease congestion.
Traffic disruptions occurred on the M2 northbound motorway in Northern Ireland on Thursday evening after a lorry shed its load, resulting in clothing scattered across the carriageway. Photographs taken at the scene revealed that the debris, which spanned several hundred yards in the left-hand lane, forced vehicles to navigate carefully to avoid the obstruction.
The incident was reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) shortly after 5.20 PM. A spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed that the accident took place just after the Templepatrick services. "Police received a report... that a lorry appeared to have shed its load on the M2 northbound, just after Templepatrick services, leaving debris in a live lane,” the spokesperson stated.
Motorists have been advised to expect delays in the area as clean-up operations commenced to remove the scattered clothing and restore normal traffic flows. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, and while no injuries were reported, the incident has led to significant tailbacks on one of Northern Ireland's key transport routes.
The Belfast Telegraph is reporting that the extent of the delays was considerable, prompting frustration among drivers who were caught in the congestion. The PSNI continues to monitor the situation closely, working to maintain safety on the motorway as they ensure the debris is cleared.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative references a specific incident on Thursday evening with precise timing (reported shortly after 5.20 PM) and recent updates on delays. No indications of recycled content or outdated references found.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quote from PSNI spokesperson includes exact phrasing and incident location. No earlier references found online, suggesting original sourcing.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Belfast Telegraph, a reputable regional publication. While not internationally prominent, it maintains factual reporting standards for local events.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
M2 disruptions due to shed loads are historically plausible. PSNI involvement and lack of contradictory reports support narrative validity. No evidence of recent policy changes affecting plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report demonstrates strong temporal specificity, credible sourcing through official police statements, and alignment with typical traffic incident patterns. No red flags detected across verification metrics.
