M6 traffic hell as lanes closed in both directions– air ambulance lands at 'serious' crash
THE M6 has been closed in both directions following a crash, with an air ambulance deployed the scene.
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The northbound and southbound stretch of the motorway was shut between J16 for Stoke-on-Trent and J17 for Congleton. The incident took place on the M6 northbound at around 10am and involved a car and a lorry. National Highways described the incident as a “serious collision”.
North West Motorways Police sent an air ambulance to the scene following the Road Traffic Collision (RTC).
All lanes on the northbound carriageway were closed while emergency crews rushed to attend.
The police confirmed the southbound M6 was also shut to allow the helicopter to land on the tarmac.
In a statement, North West Motorways Police said: “We are currently dealing with an RTC Northbound M6 junction 16 to 17.
"Avoid the area we are closing the southbound also for Helimed to land."
In an update, Inrix said: “All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident.”
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has since confirmed it was called shortly before 10am to an incident involving a car and a lorry.
A spokesperson said three people were involved and a woman has been “seriously injured”.
Three ambulances, two response cars, a helicopter and three senior officers were deployed.
A recovery operation remains in place.
In a statement, NWAS said: “Still at the scene at this time. Numerous calls received around 9.38am– lorry and car RTC.
“Three people, two in car and lorry driver involved. Female passenger in car seriously injured and driver minor injuries.
“No reported injuries for lorry driver,
“An ambulance has gone to Royal Stoke with a patient as all resources haven’t cleared as yet.”
There is currently up to six miles of queueing traffic on the M6 between J16 and J17, National Highways said.
Motorists have been warned it is causing delays of up to an hour in the Cheshire area.
The northbound M6 was shut between J16 and J17 from 10.05am and remains closed.
The southbound stretch was closed for around 45 minutes to allow responders to attend the scene and reopened shortly after 11am.
In an update, Inrix said: “Traffic held Northbound since 10:05. Southbound was also held between 10:20 and 11:05 whilst an air ambulance attended."