Huge delays as major UK motorway closed after horror eight-vehicle smash

Daily Mirror

21 hours ago

Drivers are facing huge delays on a major UK motorway which is closed in both directions following an eight-vehicle smash where a lorry crashed through the central reservation.
Footage shows devastating scenes on the M60 following the pile-up which happened around 11.30am near Stockport and involved four cars as well as four HGVs. Emergency services rushed to the scene and a major clear-up operation is ongoing with debris strewn across the motorway. Motorists have been told delays will continue for "a substantial amount of time".
National Highways states: "One of the heavy goods vehicles has crossed through the central reservation barrier and struck several lamp columns in the process. One of the other heavy goods vehicles has shed its load of beer barrels in to the road. Additionally there are several ruptured fuel tanks from the collision which have resulted in a large amount of diesel across the carriageway in both directions."
Drivers have been told to allow extra time for journeys with hour-long delays expected on the M60.
The National Highways states: "All road users caught within the closures have been released.
There are long delays on approach to the closures and we advise road users to allow extra time for their journeys.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused whilst clean up and repair works take place and thank you for your patience if impacted.
It added: "If this incident impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
"Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."
Motorists have been given diversion routes by National Highways with the M60 closed in both directions.
Clockwise (follow the route marked with a hollow diamond symbol and then a solid triangle symbol):
Anti-clockwise (follow route marked with a solid square symbol on local road signs):
The latest update provided by live traffic service Inrix says there is now "severe congestion" on the M56 following the crash on the M60 which is closed.
"M60 in both directions closed, severe delays due to multi-vehicle accident, debris on road and fuel spillage from J25 A560 Crookilley Way (Brinnington) to J1 A5145 Travis Brow (Stockport Pyramid).
"Congestion to just before J24 (Denton Island) for clockwise traffic, with anticlockwise back to J5 (Princes Parkway). There is also severe congestion on the M56 back to J3A (Baguley) for traffic approaching the M60."
Terrified drivers have told of how they were forced to swerve and slam on their brakes as a lorry crossed the M60 in a horrific collision on Monday morning (July 7).
One HGV involved in the crash crossed through the central reservation and struck 'several lamp columns in the process'. Horror footage of the aftermath showed crushed cars, a lorry cabin on its side and debris strewn across the carriageway.
One motorist, who was behind the vehicles that crashed claimed it started with a 'speeding car' which caused another to swerve and hit one of the lorries involved.
"A car was racing on the motorway and caused another car to swerve into the HGV, which then swerved across to the other side," they alleged, reported the Manchester Evening News.
"The lorry then went over which caused a knock on effect. We were in the car directly behind so we got out, I was on the phone to 999 and went to check everyone. The fire brigade were there within five minutes, then ambulance and police crews and an off duty paramedic who pulled over to help with the chaos.
"To make it even worse, we were stood there in the middle of the motorway with this horrible crash and people are driving off at junction 27 on the phone or hanging out their windows recording.
"[Cars] swerved straight into other lanes. My husband hit my brakes and my car swerved over the two lanes. It was really really bad. But luckily no-one was seriously hurt and the 999 operator got everyone there really fast. She was great keeping me calm on the phone while I was explaining everything."
A warning has been issued to anyone travelling to Manchester Airport after a huge M60 crash has closed the motorway in both directions.
There are severe delays on the Greater Manchester motorway after an eight-vehicle crash has shut it between Junction 25 and Junction 1.
Emergency services were called out to the scene between between Junctions 27 at the Portwood roundabout and Junction one for the Stockport Pyramid just before 11.30am this morning, July 7.
National Highways is now warning anyone travelling to or from Manchester Airport to be aware of the closures as the motorway is closed in both directions between Junction 25 and Junction 1 near Stockport. It is expected to remain shut for the next few hours.
It quoted a 'multi-vehicle collision, spillage, shed load and infrastructure damage' as the cause of the closures which are expected to remain in place for 'some time'. Drivers are being urged to find alternative routes to the airport.
Drivers are facing long delays with the M60 closed after a massive crash involving four lorries and four cars.
National Highways states: "This is due to a multi-vehicle collision involving 4 heavy goods vehicles and 4 cars.
"One of the heavy goods vehicles has crossed through the central reservation barrier and struck several lamp columns in the process. One of the other heavy goods vehicles has shed its load of beer barrels in to the road.
"Additionally there are several ruptured fuel tanks from the collision which have resulted in a large amount of diesel across the carriageway in both directions."
A map has revealed what locations to avoid during the traffic mayhem which has caused congestion far and wide.
Locals have described the chaos that has erupted on the M60 as the motorway continues to experience congestion.
One cyclist wrote on Twitter: "Cycling home and it's absolute carnage round Stockport. Huge accident on the M60 apparently. It's absolute carnage round Stockport. Huge accident on the M60 apparently."
Someone else said: "Been sat in it an hour and half, no sign of movement, sat nav is telling me to turn around and go the other way. Nightmare but hope everyone is ok."
A third person wrote: "M60 not looking good right now."
Holidaymakers have been urged to plan their journeys ahead of time to Manchester Airport.
It comes as drivers on the M60 still face major delays.
National Highways said: "M60 both directions between J25 and J1 near Stockport.
"Road closed due to a multi-vehicle collision, spillage, shed load and infrastructure damage. Be aware if heading to/from Manchester Airport."
The National Highways have issued a full breakdown of what happened leading up to the crash.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "The M60 in Greater Manchester is closed in both directions between J25 Bredbury Interchange (Bredbury, A560) and J1 Pyramid Roundabout (Stockport (Cen), A5145). This is due to a multi-vehicle collision involving 4 heavy goods vehicles and 4 cars.
"One of the heavy goods vehicles has crossed through the central reservation barrier and struck several lamp columns in the process. One of the other heavy goods vehicles has shed its load of beer barrels in to the road. Additionally there are several ruptured fuel tanks from the collision which have resulted in a large amount of diesel across the carriageway in both directions.
"Greater Manchester Police, Manchester Fire & Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, National Highways Traffic Officers and maintenance contractors are attending this incident."
Shocking pictures have captured the aftermath of the six-vehicle crash on the M60.
In one image, debris could be seen scattered across the motorway, close to one of the lorries.
The National Highways has warned drivers that the M60 will remain closed for a "substantial amount of time."
The authority said: "It has been confirmed there were only minor injuries from the collision but it is expected the road will remain closed in both directions for a substantial amount of time due to the amount of infrastructure damage, spillage, debris clean-up and the recovery of several substantially damaged large vehicles.
"Road users caught within the closures will be released in due course and National Highways and Greater Manchester Police are making every effort to do this as quickly as possible. However, it may take some time for all traffic within the closures to be cleared and we apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience if impacted."
Drivers now face delays of up to 30 minutes, officials have warned.
It comes following the multi-vehicle crash which took place shortly before 11.30am this morning.
Diversions have been put in place after the M60 was closed in both directions.
The National Highways has released a list of diversion routes.
A motorist says police are planning to cut the central reservation so that traffic could be allowed to move on.
The driver told the Manchester Evening News: "We're still stuck, but police have said to prepare to move in the next ten minutes.
"Cutting the barrier to allow traffic off at the last junction 25 A560 to Bredbury."
The collision involved four heavy goods vehicles and four cars, according to National Highways.
It's understood that one of the HGVs veered across the central reservation and hit "several lamp columns in the process".
Another HGV shed its load of beer barrels into the carrigeways as a result.
There are also said to be 'several ruptured fuel tanks' leaking diesel.
The ambulance service has issued another update on those injured today.
The North West Ambulance Service said three people were taken to hospital for further treatment, with six others assessed at the scene for minor injuries.
In an update, National Highways said: "Huge delays are expected to continue as a mass clean-up effort is underway due to debris and spillage.
"Greater Manchester Police, Manchester Fire & Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, National Highways Traffic Officers and maintenance contractors are attending this incident.
"It has been confirmed there were only minor injuries from the collision but it is expected the road will remain closed in both directions for a substantial amount of time due to the amount of infrastructure damage, spillage, debris clean-up and the recovery of several substantially damaged large vehicles."
Pictures show huge queues tailing back on the M60 following the catastrophic crash.
Congestion has been reported towards Denton Island on the M60 clockwise.
A woman has recalled the moment that a lorry smashed into barriers on the M60.
She told Manchester Evening News: "There are two lorries, one of which as gone through the central barriers. Looks to be a few cars as well.
"Police, fire and ambulances are on the scene... looks like it will be closed a while."
Traffic monitoring service INRIX stated: "M60 in both directions closed, severe delays due to accident from J25 A560 Crookilley Way (Brinnington) to J1 A5145 Travis Brow (Stockport Pyramid).
"Congestion to M56 J3A (Baugley) clockwise and back past J24 (Denton Island) anti-clockwise as traffic queues.
"Motorway was closed around 11:30am after a vehicle went through the central reservation."
Six vehicles were involved in the crash, officials confirmed.
Emergency services rushed to the motorway shortly before 11.30am and found multiple vehicles were at the scene.
Three lorries, two cars and a van were involved in the collision.
The National Highways said: "Update, #M60 both directions between J25 and J27 near #Stockport closed.
"Multi-vehicle collision, infrastructure damage (barrier, lamp columns), fuel spillage and a shed load. Thankfully only minor injuries but substantial clean-up required."