M60 crash: Woman rushed to hospital after 'serious crash' between cars and van
Motorists are stuck in long queues up to the scene of the incident.
The M60 motorway was closed this afternoon due to a 'serious incident' with one woman rushed to hospital.
The air ambulance landed at the scene of the incident between J23 and J24 and police were also in attendance.
The clockwise carriageway of the motorway was completely closed and motorists were left queuing.
Junction 24 is for Sheffield and Manchester whilst junction 23 is for Ashton-under-Lyne.
North West Motorway Police urged drivers to find alternative routes around the area and told drivers to stay in their cars, as some have been seen getting out and buying ice creams from an ice cream van.
Posting to X, they wrote: "We have a serious incident on M60 between J23 and J24 both carriageways will be closed to allow helimed to land and investigations to continue - please find another route."
Express.co.uk approached Greater Manchester Police for more information.
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M60 has now reopened
All lanes on the clockwise carriageway have reopened after it was shut down - intially in both directions - following a serious incident.
National Highways took to social media platform X to update motorists.
It said: "The scene is now clear and the #M60 in #GreaterManchester has re-opened clockwise between J23 (#Ashton-under-Lyne) & J24 (#Denton) following a serious collision.
"Thank you for your patience, please have a safe onward journey."
The scene is now clear and the #M60 in #GreaterManchester has re-opened clockwise between J23 (#Ashton-under-Lyne) & J24 (#Denton) following a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) April 1, 2024
Thank you for your patience, please have a safe onward journey. pic.twitter.com/In3jB7o6bV
All 'trapped traffic' now released
All trapped traffic has now been cleared from the M60, closure still on a J23 M60 clockwise.
\u2014 North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) April 1, 2024
M60 carriageway remains closed
A new National Highways update says that traffic caught within the closure is being released.
It said: "Traffic caught within the closure is in the process of being released past the scene in lane 4."
You can see more information in its latest update on social media platform X below.
The #M60 in #GreaterManchester remains closed clockwise between J23 (#Ashton-under-Lyne) & J24 (#Denton) following a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) April 1, 2024
Traffic caught within the closure is in the process of being released past the scene in lane 4.
More info here - https://t.co/oszhkj4m66. pic.twitter.com/sHvQzJLsiv
Diversion route now in place
National Highways has put a diversion route in place on the M60.
Its website states: "The M60 in Greater Manchester is closed clockwise between J23 and J24 due to a serious collision.
"Traffic was temporarily stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway whilst the Air Ambulance was in attendance.
"The Air Ambulance has now left the scene and all lanes have re-opened."
Diversion Route
Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs
Leave the M60 clockwise at J23.
At the M60 J23/A635 junction, turn right onto the A635 westbound.
At the A635/A6140 junction, turn left onto the A6140 southbound.
At the A6140/A6017 junction, turn right onto the A6017 southbound.
At the A6017/M67 J1, turn right onto the M67 westbound.
At the M67/M60 J24 roundabout, take the first exit and re-join the M60 clockwise.
Serious collision involved two cars and a van
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At just after 3pm today (Monday April 1) three fire engines from Gorton, Stalybridge and Ashton fire stations plus the technical response unit from Ashton fire station were called to reports of a crash involving two cars and a van on the M60 between junction 23 and 24.
"Firefighters assisted colleagues from North West Ambulance Service in the care of one female before they were transferred to hospital.
"Crews helped to make the scene safe and were in attendance for around one hour and 20 minutes.”
Normal traffic conditions not expected to resume until 6.45pm
A traffic alert from National Highways reads: "M60 anti-clockwise between junction 24 (Sheffield/Manchester) and junction 23 (Ashton-under-Lyne) - accident.
"There are lane closures. Normal traffic conditions are expected between 18.30 and 18.45 on 1 April 2024."
It added: "M60 junction 23 clockwise access from A635 (Ashton-under-Lyne) - accident.
"All lanes are closed. Normal traffic conditions are expected between 17.15 and 17.30 on 1 April 2024."
'Serious collision' police team investigating incident
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are investigating the crash on the M60.
More information as we have it.
Footage shows helicopter landing at the scene
New footage shows a helicopter arriving at the unfolding incident on the M60.
The video has been taken by those living nearby.
Helicopter landing on M60 this afternoon. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/GUFE9tEuxB
\u2014 elenaaa (@EVHTN) April 1, 2024
AA map reveals M60 congestion
The AA has updated its live map to show congestion on the M60.
You can see the interactive map here.
The anticlockwise motorway is now reopened - but clockwise remains shut
The anticlockwise section of the M60 motorway has now reopened after a serious incident shut it down.
However the clockwise route remains closed.
Taking to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, North West Motorway Police updated followers with a post.
It said: "For your information, the M60 anticlockwise between 24 and 23 has now been reopened thank you for your patience."
You can see the tweet in full below.
For your information, the M60 anticlockwise between 24 and 23 has now been reopened thank you for your patience.
\u2014 North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) April 1, 2024
Police warn motorists to stay in their vehicles
Motorists have been warned to stay in their vehicles after a serious incident on the M60.
North West Motorway Police said: "While we appreciate the delays are annoying on the M60 everyone should stay in their vehicles, our patrols making to the scene are advising people are out walking their dogs and getting ice creams from an ice cream van, we are starting rear ward relief shortly."
'It's not okay' to film say police
Motorists have been warned not to film the unfolding scene after a serious incident closed the motorway.
North West Motorway Police said: "To the people who think it is okay to film the scene on the M60, please stop think of the families of the people involved, it is not OKAY."
You can see the full tweet below.
To the people who think it is okay to film the scene on the M60, please stop think of the families of the people involved, it is not OKAY.
\u2014 North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) April 1, 2024
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to this live blog. We'll be bringing you all the latest information on this ongoing incident.