Boy, 14, dead after van smashes into tree next to the M6
Published: 20:00, 20 April 2025 | Updated: 00:59, 21 April 2025
A 14-year-old boy has died after a van left the road and crashed into a tree next to the M6.
The teenager had been travelling in his father's Peugeot van on the motorway between junctions 34 and 33 when the terrible crash occurred shortly after midday today.
Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to the scene, where they found both the boy and his father, who's in 30s, suffering from serious injuries.
The 14-year-old boy could sadly not be saved and died at the scene.
His father, who was the driver of the vehicle, was taken to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
Sergeant Martin Wilcock, of the serious collision investigation unit at Lancashire Police[2], 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.'
A 14-year-old boy has died after a van left the road and crashed into a tree next to the M6
Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to the scene, where they found both the boy and his father, who's in his 30s, suffering from serious injuries
Part of the M6 near Lancaster has remained closed for hours after the fatal crash near junctions 34 and 33
Police asked anyone with information to call 101 quoting log 0503 of April 20th, adding that people can also email the serious collision investigation unit at [email protected].
Part of the M6 near junctions 33 and 34 in Lancaster has remained closed for hours after the crash on the southbound carriageway.
The northern carriageway was also closed for a brief 45-minute period before reopening around 2pm.
Hundreds of cars were left trapped in the road closure earlier this Easter Sunday while emergency services responded to the incident.
Delays became so severe that some drivers resorted to playing football on the carriageway to pass the time.
Footage showed shirtless drivers leaving their cars and kicking a football around in the northern sunshine, with some even walking their dogs on the abandoned motorway lane.
Hundreds of cars were left trapped in the road closure earlier this Easter Sunday while emergency services responded to the incident
Footage showed shirtless drivers leaving their cars and kicking a football around in the northern sunshine, with some even walking their dogs on the abandoned motorway lane
The part of the M6 where the crash occurred is likely to remain closed for 'some time', Lancashire Police said.
'We anticipate that the road will be closed for some time, whilst we assess the situation,' a spokesperson added.
'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.'
A National Highways spokesperson said: 'Lancashire Police are working 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 allow North West Air Ambulance to land at scene.
'The Air Ambulance has since departed and traffic is now flowing northbound in all lanes.'
References
- ^ GETHIN HICKS (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Lancashire Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)