M61 crash: Person rescued from car and rushed to hospital after motorway shuts

Drivers faced long delays

11:36, 20 Feb 2026

Queues approaching the M61(Image: National Highways/Traffic Cameras)

Emergency services closed off the M61 following a crash near Bolton[1]. Two cars and a lorry were involved in the collision at around 8.30am this morning (February 20), on the northbound carriageway between junctions three and four, at Farnworth.

An air ambulance landed at the scene, while police, firefighters and paramedics all attended the incident. The motorway was initially closed in both directions as crews responded to the incident.

Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN[2]

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service says one person was rescued from a car before being handed over to paramedics for medical attention.

They were taken to hospital in Chorley for treatment to minor injuries, according to North West Ambulance Service.

Three fire engines, two rapid response ambulance service vehicles and one ambulance were all in attendance. Greater Manchester Police[3] says there are not thought to have been any serious injuries following the smash.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service added: "At around 8.30am this morning (Friday, February 20), three fire engines from Farnworth and Bolton Central fire stations and the enhanced rescue unit from Leigh fire station attended a crash involving two cars and one heavy goods vehicle on the M61 northbound carriageway between junctions three and four.

"Firefighters arrived quickly to make the area safe and helped remove one person from a vehicle before they were passed into the care of North West Ambulance Service and conveyed to hospital.

Crews were in attendance for roughly 45 minutes."

The M61 reopened southbound after around 30 minutes, before one lane reopened on the northbound carriageway.

The rest of the motorway reopened at around 10.45am.

References

1. ^ Bolton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN (www.google.com)
3. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)