M62 LIVE as motorway shut after serious collision between 'two lorries and a vehicle' with severe traffic delays

The M62 has been shut following a crash between 'two lorries and a vehicle' this afternoon as drivers are being warned of severe delays.

The motorway has been closed on the westbound carriageway from junction 19 for Heywood to junction 18 for Simister Island following the 'multi-vehicle' accident. Congestion is tailing back to junction 12 for Eccles.

Images show drivers caught in the closure out of their vehicles, with motorists warned to avoid the area.

The North West Ambulance Service has confirmed that one woman has been taken to hospital with 'serious and life changing injuries'.

Travel service Inrix says: "M62 Westbound closed, severe delays due to accident from J19 A6046 Middleton Road (Heywood) to J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island)."

There is also a separate incident on the M62 causing travel delays. The motorway was shut in a second place between junction 23, for Huddersfield, and junction 22, for Rishworth Moor, following a crash.

It has since reopened but there are severe delays.

Inrix adds: "Severe delays and one lane closed due to accident on M62 Westbound from J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield) to J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor).

"Queueing traffic on the opposite side too due to onlookers. Lane one and two (of three) reopened. Lane three remains closed."

It comes amid mayhem on the motorway over the last 24 hours, after a huge moorland fire caused smoke to billow across the M62.

And, in Greater Manchester today, there have been severe delays on the M60 due to a shed load - follow specific updates on the M60 here.

Further updates on the M62 will load in our live blog below.

National Highways North West have said: "The #M62 remains CLOSED westbound between J19 near #Heywood and J18 due to a multi vehicle collision.