Boy dies in horror crash that closed motorway for hours (2025)

5 days ago21:43 Conor Wilson

Traffic is now running smoothly with only minor delays according to traffic montioring websites.

Police continue to appeal for information and dash cam footage from today's incident.

5 days ago20:28 Conor Wilson

5 days ago19:54 Conor Wilson

National Highways have released a fresh update to tell motorists that they "are in the process of removing the closure of the M6 at J34 southbound."

The road has been closed for several hours but the agency say that it "should be fully open in the next 20-30 mins."

5 days ago19:24 Conor Wilson

Police are appealing for information after a 14-year-old died on a serious collision on the M6 this afternoon.

The teenager was a passenger in a van when it left the carriageway and crashed into a tree.

A police statement said: "We are appealing for witnesses after a collision on the M6 motorway left one person dead and another seriously injured.

"Emergency services were called at just after 12.15pm today (Sunday, April 20th) after a Peugeot van left the carriageway between junctions 34 and 33 southbound near to university hill and crashed into a tree.

"No other vehicles were involved."

Sgt Martin Wilcock, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision has very sadly resulted in the death of a young man and left another man with serious injuries and my thoughts are with their loved ones.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened, and who hasn’t yet spoken with police, or anyone with dashcam or mobile footage, to get in touch.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw the van in the moments before the collision.”

Anyone who can help should call 101 quoting log 0503 of April 20th.

You can also email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit atSCIU@lancashire.police.uk

5 days ago19:20 Conor Wilson

Motorists have been stranded for hours on the M6, with some taking to social media to vent at the lack of communication.

One motorist, Laura Higson-Bliss, said: "We have been stuck in traffic for over two hours. I have a 6 month old who is really struggling with hunger and the heat.

"We have been here nearly 2 and half hours now and your information still says a delay of 1 hour. It’s negligent providing such false information.

"I am sorry this has happened. But there needs to be better communication with drivers. Cars are now flying down the hard shoulder. It is incredibly dangerous at this moment in time."

5 days ago19:17 Conor Wilson

National Highways have said they are still unable to give an estimated time that the M6 southbound will reopen.

Replying to a question on X, they said: "The M6 southbound remains closed for ongoing collision investigation by the police.

"Traffic is exiting at J34 to follow the diversion route.

"We are unable to provide an estimated re-opening time at this stage."

5 days ago18:15 Conor Wilson

Ahead of the weekend, the RAC predicted a “hat-trick of hold-ups” due totrafficwith more than 19 million leisure trips predicted.

This has proven to be the case with severe delays seen on M6 and M25 over the weekend as a result of accidents compounded by extra cars on the road.

The organisation predicted that there would be 2.5 million extra cars on the road on Easter Sunday.

Alice Simpson, RAC Breakdown spokesperson said: “The late bank holiday weekend clashes with the end of the Easter break for many schools – which we think will change the nature of this year’s getaway.

“Although journey numbers are still very high, we’re anticipating more day trips and weekend breaks than people heading off on one and two-week stints, reflected by INRIX’s predictions that the worst delays will be along routes from Gatwick to the rest of the country.

“This could lead to a ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as drivers visit family and friends.”

5 days ago17:10 Conor Wilson

National Highways are warning of a one hour delay between J35 and J34 approaching the closure.

The M6 remains closed southbound as police continue their investigation work following today's serious collision.

5 days ago16:14 Conor Wilson

National Highways have issued an update saying that "we cannot provide a timescale likely re-opening time."

The southbound section of the M6 between J34 Lancaster & J33 Galgate reamins closed after a serious accident earlier today which required the deployment of an air ambulance.

Drivers have been told to expect "long delays" and to follow diversions.

5 days ago16:03 Conor Wilson

Despite the traffic nightmare greeting thousands on the M6 today, there will be no roadworks being conducted to add to the misery.

More than 1,000 miles of roadworks in England, have been lifted by the Department for Transport over the Easter weekend.

National Highways director of operational services Andrew Butterfield said: “We expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long Easter weekend.

“That’s why we are making journeys easier by removing a huge number of roadworks.

“Drivers should also take time to plan ahead. Two of the top three causes of breakdowns are tyre issues and empty fuel tanks.

“You can help prevent any breakdowns by following our advice: top up your fuel, oil and screenwash, plan your journey, check your tyres and prepare for all weather conditions.”

5 days ago15:04 Conor Wilson

Road users are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs.Exit the M6 southbound at junction 34 and at the end of the sliproad turn left onto the A683.Continue to the traffic light controlled junction and continue straight onto the A589, towards Lancaster.Remain on the A589 for approximately 1 mile into Lancaster and keep right to join the A6/Caton Road.Continue on the A6 for approximately 1 mile to "The Pointer" roundabout and take the 2nd exit to continue on the A6.Travel along the A6 for approximately 4 miles to the Hampson Green Roundabout and take the 1st exit towards the M6 to re-join the southbound carriageway.

Delays of up to 45 minutes are reported on the M6 in both directions approaching Lancaster.

5 days ago15:03 Conor Wilson

Lancashire Police areworking at the scene of a serious collision on the southbound carriageway with National Highways Traffic Officers assisting with traffic management at scene and the closure point.

Traffic was held on the northbound carriageway to allowNorth West Air Ambulance to land at scene. The Air Ambulance has since departed and traffic is now flowing northbound in all lanes.

5 days ago15:01 Conor Wilson

National Highways has confirmed that the M6 northbound is now open although delays persist.

Drivers should allow extra time for their journey

5 days ago14:55 Conor Wilson

5 days ago14:40 Max Parry

5 days ago14:28 Max Parry

The Inrix traffic website is now showing that the M6 southbound is closed, despite saying it had reopened a few minutes ago.

The website states: "M6 Southbound closed, severe delays due to accident from J34 A683 (Lancaster) to J33 A6 Preston Lancaster Road (Lancaster South / Garstang). Congestion to the A6 between Galgate and Lancaster. The A683 towards Caton is also affected. Note change of details.

"Ongoing since 12:40 for an accident on the southbound carriageway. all lanes are now open on the northbound carriageway. Cleared in error".

5 days ago14:17 Max Parry

The M6 southbound is now open, as is the motorway northbound.

However, drivers should still expect delays.

5 days ago14:13 Max Parry

"We want to update you and let you know that the M6 North and South bound is currently closed from junction 33 to 34 and junction 34 to 33 due to a road traffic collision.

"We anticipate that the road will be closed for some time, whilst we assess the situation.

"In the meantime, we’d recommend delaying your journey and driving carefully, leaving plenty of extra time to get to your destination.

"We’ll keep tabs on what’s happening, and we’ll update you here once the road is open.

"As always, thank you for your patience and stay safe if you’re out and about today."

5 days ago13:56 Max Parry

Drivers are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs.

Exit the M6 southbound at junction 34 and at the end of the sliproad turn left onto the A683.Continue to the traffic light controlled junction and continue straight onto the A589, towards Lancaster.Remain on the A589 for approximately 1 mile into Lancaster and keep right to join the A6/Caton Road.Continue on the A6 for approximately 1 mile to "The Pointer" roundabout and take the 2nd exit to continue on the A6.Travel along the A6 for approximately 4 miles to the Hampson Green Roundabout and take the 1st exit towards the M6 to re-join the southbound carriageway.

5 days ago13:55 Max Parry

5 days ago13:41 Max Parry

Traffic appears heavy at Junction 33 of the M6 (Image: Traffic Cameras)

Traffic appears heavy at Junction 33 of the M6 (Image: Traffic Cameras)

5 days ago13:37 Max Parry

5 days ago13:33 Max Parry

Good afternoon, welcome to our coverage of the incident on the M6.

Stay tuned for the latest updates.