Police slam drivers in M66 crash update as arrest made and one in hospital

A driver has been arrested while several others will be dealt with following a major crash on the M66. The motorway was shut between Simister Island and Pilsworth following a crash involving a car and a motorbike this morning (December 18).

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

In an update issued on social media this afternoon, GMP says a driver was arrested following the crash. The Manchester Evening News has approached GMP for further details on the arrest.

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.

There were also delays on the anticlockwise M60 backing up towards Chadderton, delays from Rochdale on the westbound M62 and queues on the southbound M66 as drivers approached the crash scene on the other side of the motorway. Images showed paramedics at the scene, while debris could be seen on the road.