‘Idiot’ drivers get out of cars and block emergency crews on hard shoulder amid M60 incident

Motorists claimed they were stuck for hours as all traffic was stopped on the motorway

21:10, 22 Jun 2025

Motorists stuck in queues for hours on the M60 on Sunday (June 22) have slammed 'idiot' drivers blocking emergency crews from using the hard shoulder and getting out of their vehicles.

Fire crews, police and paramedics attended the incident on the clockwise carriageway near Sale[1] following a concern for welfare report and a man being on the wrong side of the bridge.

A full closure was put in place on the motorway while emergency crews responded. Drivers became stuck in miles of congestion as traffic was temporarily stopped.

Follow our live updates here.[2]

But amid the incident, those stuck in the closure claimed 'idiot' drivers were using the hard shoulder and blocking emergency vehicles, with motorway cameras showing people out of their vehicles and standing on the carriageway.

"We have been sitting on the M60, having entered from the A56 heading towards Carrington[3] Spur, for around two hours now," one person said.

"A crowd of idiots then decided that they might be able to exit via the hard shoulder but just widened the traffic jam. Then more emergency vehicles tried to get through and really struggled.

We all had to squeeze three lanes into two to accommodate those blocking the hard shoulder."

Another said: "A major incident has occurred and ambulances are unable to get through due to various vehicles driving on the hard shoulder."

A post on social media shared by another frustrated motorist added: "Sat on the M60 heading home and loads of cars have decided to drive down the hard shoulder and block the entire route for all the emergency services."

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "At just after 4.45pm today (Sunday 22 June) fire crews were called to reports of a man on the wrong side of the bridge on the M60[4] clockwise from junction 8 to 9.

"Two fire engines from Sale and Salford[5] along with the Technical Response Unit from Leigh quickly attended the scene.

"Crews are working alongside Greater Manchester Police[6] and North West Ambulance Service and remain in attendance."

Greater Manchester Police also confirmed they were in attendance following a concern for welfare call. The clockwise carriageway between junctions six and eight remained closed for a number of hours into Sunday night.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "M60 clockwise between J6 Sale and J8 Stretford[7] remains closed whilst we and emergency service partners deal with an ongoing incident. The cooperation and patience of the public is appreciated whilst we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."

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References

1. ^ Sale (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ here. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Carrington (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ M60 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ Stretford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^ by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
9. ^ sign up for that here. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
10. ^ Click here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
11. ^ Coronation Street (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
12. ^ downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
13. ^ [email protected] (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)