Major UK motorway closed 24 hours after eight car crash through reservations

A major UK motorway is still closed 24 hours after an eight-vehicle crash which saw a lorry drive through the reservation.

Emergency services were called to the M60 just before 11.30am yesterday between junctions 27 at the Portwood roundabout and junction one at the Stockport Pyramid.

Both carriageways were forced to close, after four lorries and four cars crashed into each other.

One HGV also crashed through the central reservation and struck ‘several lamp columns in the process.’

Another dropped beer barrels it was carrying onto the roads, while diesel leaked onto the ground.

The drivers involved in the crash suffered only minor injuries and were taken to hospital as a precaution, the police confirmed.

A stretch of the motorway remains closed today for emergency resurfacing works, with delays of up to 60 minutes on approach from both directions.

One motorist witnessed the crash unfolding in front of her on the busy motorway.

The smash started with a ‘speeding car,’ which caused another car to swerve and hit a lorry, the driver claimed.

They told Manchester Evening News: ‘A car was racing on the motorway and caused another car to swerve into the HGV, which then swerved across to the other side.

‘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.’

National Highways said this morning: ‘One of the heavy goods vehicles crossed through the central reservation barrier and struck several lamp columns in the process.

One of the other heavy goods vehicles shed its load of beer barrels onto 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.

‘Recovery work is complete and emergency resurfacing work remains ongoing at the scene.

‘All road users caught within the closures have been released.

‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused whilst clean up and repair works take place and we thank you for your patience if impacted.’

The ongoing closure is causing long delays in both directions, with traffic backing up to Manchester Airport and Denton.

It comes after they said yesterday: ‘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.’

People reacted to the news of the crash on social media.

One person said they were glad everyone escaped with minor injuries, but it took her ‘three hours to get home instead of 50 minutes.’

Another one said it took her an hour after work to travel three miles in Stockport after the crash.

One woman said she missed her flight yesterday after being stuck in the queue.

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