Four rescued from vehicles after smash between cars, lorries, and a van on motorway

Two people have been rushed to hospital after a multi-vehicle smash on the M6 motorway this afternoon (June 26). The crash between two cars, two lorries, and a van happened on the M6 southbound between junction 23 and 24 near to Wigan around 4.30pm.

Four people had to be cut from their vehicles, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, with a man and a woman then taken to hospital by the ambulance service. The road was closed in both directions for around three hours before traffic started moving smoothly again around 8pm.

Long delays of over 90 minutes were reported on the motorway with heavy traffic also on surrounding routes. An air ambulance was also called to the scene.

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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 4.30pm on Monday 26 June, fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the M6 southbound between junctions 23 and 24. Three fire engines from Wigan and Leigh, as well as the technical response unit from Ashton, quickly attended the scene.

"The incident involved two cars, two lorries and a van. Firefighters used specialist equipment to extricate four people from the vehicles. A man and a woman were taken to hospital by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service.

"Firefighters then helped make the area safe. GMFRS crews were in attendance for just over an hour."

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