M6 crash led to emergency services lives being put at risk

Drivers were warned by police on social media as it was reported that a number of drivers ignored the lane closure in place and put the lives of emergency services and the public at risk. In total, 87 vehicles were caught ignoring restrictions and drivers were reported. A spokesperson for the police said: “Officers from Team 3 attended a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the M6 northbound at J31 with reports of a person trapped.

“Police, the fire service, traffic officers and the ambulance service all attended and six people were treated with minor injuries. “Additional police resources were required due to a small minority of motorists breaching the Red Xs in lanes three and four, putting the lives of emergency services and the public at risk. “87 vehicles were caught and the drivers will be reported.”

Two lanes of the motorway were closed to Junction 31 at Salmesbury of the Northbound motorway. The crash, which occurred at 6.45pm, led to delays back to the Bamber Bridge junction and on the M61 with queues stretching to Chorley. Police confirmed six people were treated for minor injuries.

Traffic England reported delays of nearly an hour before all lanes were re-opened by police shortly before 10pm. At the time a police spokesperson said: “We have closed lanes three and four of M6 northbound due to a road traffic collision at Junction 31. “We anticipate that the road will be closed for some time, whilst we clear the road.

“In the meantime, we’d recommend looking for an alternative route 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 fully open again.

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