Miracle escape after four HGVs and cars wreak havoc in horror M60 crash
The motorway was closed throughout the day following the major collision
19:23, 07 Jul 2025
The motorway was closed throughout the day following the major collision(Image: National Highways)Motorists involved in a horrific crash involving four HGVs and four cars on the M60[1] on Monday (July 7) miraculously escaped without serious injury, it has been confirmed.
Mayhem unfolded after a car 'swerved and hit a lorry', sending it hurtling across to the other side of the carriageway and breaking through the central reservation, then causing a 'knock-on effect' with other vehicles caught up in the chaos.
Emergency services were called out to the scene of an eight-vehicle collision - involving four HGVs and four cars - between between junctions 27 at the Portwood roundabout and junction one for the Stockport[2] Pyramid just before 11.30am.
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One HGV involved is said to have crossed through the central reservation and struck 'several lamp columns in the process'. Another then shed its load of beer barrels into the carriageways, with 'several ruptured fuel tanks' also leaking diesel onto the carriageway.
The incident caused major delays and debris to be strewn over the carriageway(Image: National Highways)Article continues belowBoth carriageways were closed by emergency crews with diversions put in place. Horror footage of the aftermath showed crushed cars, a lorry cabin on its side and debris strewn across the carriageway.
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It was later confirmed that despite nine people sustaining injuries, none of them were serious.
Images from the M60 showed a scene of destruction, with debris strewn across both sides of the motorway, an oil spillage and beer barrels rolling away.
The North West Ambulance Service North West Ambulance Service said three people were taken to hospital for further treatment, with six others assessed at the scene for minor injuries.
Emergency services raced to the scene on the M60(Image: Lin Davis)Greater Manchester Police[5] are yet to issue a statement on the incident, which closed the busy motorway throughout the day and evening.
Traffic then backed up throughout Stockport and Tameside[6], with long delays through town centre streets and buses needing to be diverted to avoid the mayhem.
One motorist, who was behind the crash when the chaotic scenes unfolded, told the M.E.N it started with a 'speeding car' which caused another to swerve and hit one of the lorries involved.
"A car was racing on the motorway and caused another car to swerve into the HGV, which then swerved across to the other side," they said.
"The lorry then went over which caused a knock on effect. We were in the car directly behind so we got out, I was on the phone to 999 and went to check everyone.
"The fire brigade were there within five minutes, then ambulance and police crews and an off duty paramedic who pulled over to help with the chaos.
A number of vehicles were severely damaged(Image: Submitted)"[Cars] swerved straight into other lanes. My husband hit my brakes and my car swerved over the two lanes.
It was really really bad. But luckily no-one was seriously hurt and the 999 operator got everyone there really fast."
Police, paramedics and fire crews raced to the scene and closed off the motorway in both directions as they responded to the incident.
The central reservation appeared to have been obliterated, with a cab from one of the lorries involved also upside down and a number of other vehicles severely damaged.
Recovery work continued late into the evening due to the amount of damage to road infrastructure and the diesel spillage on the motorway's surface.
There were long delays on the motorway throughout the afternoon due to the closure(Image: UGC)Article continues belowA statement issued by National Highways read: "One of the heavy goods vehicles crossed through the central reservation barrier and struck several lamp columns in the process. One of the other heavy goods vehicles shed its load of beer barrels onto the road.
Additionally there are several ruptured fuel tanks from the collision which have resulted in a large amount of diesel across the carriageway in both directions.
"All emergency services attended the scene including Greater Manchester Police, Manchester Fire & Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, National Highways Traffic Officers and maintenance contractors.
"Luckily, all injuries were considered to be minor however, it is expected the road will remain closed in both directions for a substantial amount of time due to the amount of infrastructure damage, spillage, debris clean-up and the recovery of several substantially damaged large vehicles."