M6 RECAP: Crash and fire cause motorway traffic chaos as cops warn ‘don’t film’

The M6 has closed in part following a "serious collision[1] and vehicle fire[2]", National Highways has confirmed. The major motorway[3] was closed in both directions between J27 Standish and J28 Leyland, before the southbound closure was "stood down". The northbound section remains closed as emergency services attend the scene where a man was treated for serious injuries.

Traffic has been stopped since around 10:50am, according to the traffic alert service Inrix. One social media user posted an image of the scene on the M6 showing the fire. This live blog has now ended.

17:15KEY EVENT

M6 now open

National Highways has announced the M6 has opened.

In a post shared to X/Twitter, National Highways said: "The #M6 in #Lancashire is now OPEN northbound between J27 #Standish and J28 #Leyland. "1 lane (of 3) will remain closed throughout the remainder of the day until resurfacing works can take place overnight. There's 3 miles of congestion on approach at this time."

The #M6[4] in #Lancashire[5] is now OPEN northbound between J27 #Standish[6] and J28 #Leyland[7].

1 lane (of 3) will remain closed throughout the remainder of the day until resurfacing works can take place overnight. There's 3 miles of congestion on approach at this time. pic.twitter.com/KJ8EgavnGE[8]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) July 18, 2025[9]16:23KEY EVENT

Woman seriously injured in M6 crash

A woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries following a crash between a lorry and two cars on the M602. The woman, understood to be in her 50s, remains in hospital.

A 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of testing positive for a class B substance and on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

15:20Anders Anglesey

Diversion routes in operation

Multiple diversion routes are now in operation, according to National Highways. In a post shared to social media, it said: "This incident has now been resolved. We will shortly begin the process of re-opening the #M602 westbound between J2 #Eccles and J1 #M62/#M60[10][11][12][13]

"#GreaterManchester[14]. An updated post will be issued once it has been confirmed the road has re-opened. Thanks for your patience."

This incident has now been resolved.

We will shortly begin the process of re-opening the #M602[15] westbound between J2 #Eccles[16] and J1 #M62[17]/#M60[18] #GreaterManchester[19]. An updated post will be issued once it has been confirmed the road has re-opened. Thanks for your patience. pic.twitter.com/A8Als831S4[20]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) July 18, 2025[21]15:10KEY EVENT

Fire service statement

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "At 10:47am on 18th July 2025, fire engines from Leyland fire station attended a road traffic collision on the M6 motorway between junctions 28 and 27.

"Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish a fire in one of the vehicles. The M6 is closed northbound between J28 and 27. Crews remain at the scene."

15:00Benjamin Lynch

Delays expected to continue

National Highways said motorists can expect hour-long delays to continue.

It likely will not return to normal until at least 7:15pm this evening.

14:46KEY EVENT

Traffic being released

National Highways said: "Traffic in closure is now being released past scene in the outside lane. It 'll take time for all 4 miles of traffic to clear but this is quicker than the turning method."

13:35Benjamin Lynch

Southbound traffic diverted

A diversion was also put inplace for cars on the southbuond side. That is as follows:

• Leave the M6 southbound Jct 28 and at the T-junction at the end of the slip road turn right on to the B5256.
• At the next junction (crossroads with the A49) turn right.
• Follow the A49 southbound to the traffic light controlled junction with the B5248 turn left on to Dawson Lane.
• Continue on to Central Avenue southbound and continue to the junction with Euxton Lane.
• Turn left on to Euxton Lane and head east to the roundabout with the B5252.
• Take the third exit on to the B5252 southbound to the roundabout with the A581.
• Take the third exit on to the A581 westbound and continue to the roundabout with the A49.
• Take the first exit on to the A49 southbound and follow this road to Standish.
• At the junction with the A5209 turn right and follow this road to Jct 27 of the M6.

13:14Benjamin Lynch

Diversion in place

Northbound traffic is being diverted via the following route:

• Leave the M6 northbound Jct 27 and at the roundabout take the third exit to join A5209.
• Follow the A5209 in Standish and at the junction with the A49 turn left.
• Follow the A49 northbound to the junction with the roundabout with the A581.
• Take the second exit on to the A581 eastbound.
• Continue to the roundabout with the B5252 and take the first exit.
• Follow the B5252 to the roundabout with Euxton Lane and take the first exit.
• Follow Euxton Lane to the junction with Central Avenue.
• Turn right on to Central Avenue northbound and follow this road on to Dawson Lane.
• At the traffic light controlled junction with the A49 turn right.
• Follow the A49 northbound to the traffic light controlled junction with the B5256.
• Turn left on to the B5256 westbound and follow this road to J28 of the M6.

National Highways said: "Traffic in the closure is being turned around from the back.

There's 4 miles of traffic to clear so this will take some time."

13:00KEY EVENT

Cops issue stark warning to drivers

Lancashire Police have issued a stark warning to drivers going past the site of the collision, insisting those who film will be prosecuted. "We would ask that people in moving traffic do not film from their vehicles," police said. "Two people have already been seen doing this, and we will look to prosecute them in due course."

12:51Benjamin Lynch

Public urged to find alternative routes

Police have urged the public to find alternative routes as the "carriageway could be closed for several hours". "Please find alternative routes if you can," said cops.

12:48Benjamin Lynch

'Serious injuries' to driver - police

In a further update shared on Facebook, police said one of the drivers was left with "serious injuries".

Lancashire Police said: "The Northbound carriageway of the M6 has been closed just after Charnock Richard services. "This is due to a collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon which has left one of the drivers with some really serious injuries. "We know that this closure will have a significant impact on motorists, however our officers are working as quickly as they can at the scene to get the carriageway back open."

12:30Benjamin Lynch

Big delays on the M6

Traffic is backed-up on the M6 amid big delays.

AA Traffic News says there are now 100-minute delays on the M6 northbound following the incident.

Traffic backed-up on the M6 (Highways Agency)12:28Benjamin Lynch

Social media post shows image of fire

A social media post appears to show a vehicle on fire next to a lorry.

Fire M6 northbound near Charnock Richard Service. Northbound closed. #TrafficAlert #M6 pic.twitter.com/1DN44xSjFC[22][23][24]

-- Roy Lynch (@RoyLynch) July 18, 2025[25]12:22Benjamin Lynch

Full statement from Lancashire Constabulary

In a statement from Lancashire Constabulary, police said: "We received a report of a collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon at 10:45am today on the M6 Northbound carriageway, just after Charnock Richard services. "The motorway is currently blocked between J28 (Leyland) and J27 (Standish) whilst emergency services attend the scene."

"A man is being treated at the scene by the ambulance service."

The M6 northbound remains blocked (Highways Agency)12:21Benjamin Lynch

Van and 'stationary skip wagon' collide

Police in Lancashire said it received reports of a "collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon at 10:45am".

12:20KEY EVENT

Man treated at the scene

Police have confirmed a man is being treated at the scene. Police are still in attendance.

The incident is causing 'severe delays' (Highways Agency)12:07KEY EVENT

Closure update - National Highways

The M6 is no longer closed in both directions following the collision, National Highways has confirmed. In an update, the body said the "southbound closure has been stood down" but the northbound closure remains in place.

12:00Benjamin Lynch

Emergency services in attendance

Police, National Highways traffic officers and the North West Ambulance Service are all attending the scene.

11:53Benjamin Lynch

M6 closed

The M6 is closed in both directions between J27 Standish and J28 Leyland.

This is due to a "serious collision and vehicle fire" National Highways said.

References

1. ^ collision (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
5. ^ #Lancashire (twitter.com)
6. ^ #Standish (twitter.com)
7. ^ #Leyland (twitter.com)
8. ^ pic.twitter.com/KJ8EgavnGE (t.co)
9. ^ July 18, 2025 (twitter.com)
10. ^ #M602 (x.com)
11. ^ #Eccles (x.com)
12. ^ #M62 (x.com)
13. ^ #M60 (x.com)
14. ^ #GreaterManchester (x.com)
15. ^ #M602 (twitter.com)
16. ^ #Eccles (twitter.com)
17. ^ #M62 (twitter.com)
18. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
19. ^ #GreaterManchester (twitter.com)
20. ^ pic.twitter.com/A8Als831S4 (t.co)
21. ^ July 18, 2025 (twitter.com)
22. ^ #TrafficAlert (twitter.com)
23. ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
24. ^ pic.twitter.com/1DN44xSjFC (t.co)
25. ^ July 18, 2025 (twitter.com)