Man in his 60s rushed to hospital with serious injuries after motorbike crash on M66

A man in his 60s was rushed to hospital after a motorbike crash on the M66. The motorway was shut between Simister Island and Pilsworth following a crash involving a car and a motorbike on Wednesday morning (December 18).

Emergency services were called out to the scene near Bury at around 7.09am. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.

The North West Ambulance Service has now confirmed the bike rider was a man aged in his 60s. A driver involved was arrested at the scene, police said.

Police also say multiple drivers 'hindered their response' by driving on the hard shoulder while the motorway was shut. Those who did can now expect to face police action.

A spokesperson for GMP Traffic wrote on X: "Thank you to drivers for their patience this morning. Reports of a serious collision involving a motorcyclist.

"A driver was arrested, enquiries ongoing. A number of drivers who hindered our response using the hard shoulder. They will receive a letter in the post."

Motorists faced huge delays across the M60, M62 and M66 in all directions approaching the scene this morning. Traffic tailed back on the clockwise M60 beyond the Eccles Interchange, with queues on the M62 approaching junction 12.

The Manchester Evening News has approached Greater Manchester Police for further details on the arrest.