Coach ‘carrying 30 schoolchildren’ bursts into flames on motorway

Police said the driver and all passengers were safely evacuated

Nicole Wootton-Cane and Nicole Wootton-Cane Senior reporter 07:02, 06 Mar 2025

This photo shows the aftermath of a fire that sent a coach up in flames on the M61 yesterday. Police said the coach was carrying 30 children and teachers when it was involved in a fire on the M60 slip road at Swinton Interchange.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as traffic was halted for hours on the motorway. Greater Manchester Police said the driver and all passengers were safely evacuated, the MEN reports.[2][3][4]

The M61 was closed on the northbound carriageway between J1 and J2 for the M60.

The closure remained in place until the early hours of Thursday. Police have now shared a photo which shows the devastating damage caused to the school coach during the fire.

In a post on X, Greater Manchester Police wrote: "It's the sort of call we really dread! A coach carrying Teachers and 30+ Kids on fire at busy M60 slip.

"A fantastic response from @gmptraffic @manchesterfire @NationalHways @NWAmbulance safely evacuated driver and all passengers.

Not all heroes wear capes!"

References

1. ^ News (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Emergency services (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ the MEN reports. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)