Police hunt lorry driver who fled scene after two teens, 17 and 16, seriously injured in motorway crash

Two teenage boys remain in hospital with serious injuries following a collision on the M6 in Lancashire between Junction 32 and Junction 33 on Sunday night

Zahra Khaliq News Reporter, Jon Macpherson and Laura Hill 13:11, 16 Feb 2026

The incident has sparked traffic on the M6(Image: trafficcameras.uk)

Two teenage boys have been left with serious injuries following a collision on a major motorway, as police search for a lorry driver who left the scene.

Emergency services were called to the M6 in Lancashire[1] late on Sunday evening after reports that a green Nissan Micra had collided with the central reservation barrier before stopping in the third lane.

A silver Toyota Celica subsequently struck the Micra, before an HGV[2] then crashed into the Toyota.

Lancashire Police confirmed the lorry did not remain at the scene of the collision, which occurred on the northbound carriageway between J32 and J33. Investigations are continuing to locate the lorry driver.

Police, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene at 11:16pm on Sunday, alongside National Highways officers. The Micra's driver, aged 17, and his passenger, aged 16, both sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment, where they continue to receive care.

Both carriageways were shut overnight before reopening shortly before 11am, though motorists still faced two miles of congestion, Lancashire Live reports[3].

Sgt Bex Price of our Road Policing Unit said: "First and foremost my thoughts are with the two boys and their families as they receive treatment in hospital.

They have suffered some significant injuries as a result of this collision, and enquiries into what led to the collision are ongoing.

"I know the motorway was closed for a significant amount of time, and I want to take the time to thank anyone who had their journey disrupted or delayed. I know a change to your route can be frustrating, but we really appreciate your patience whilst our officers and emergency service colleagues responded to the report and carried out our initial enquiries.

"Our investigation is very much in its early stages, and we have a number of enquiries ongoing at this time. However, we are also asking for your help.

"We believe the collision also involved a HGV, and whilst offline enquiries are ongoing to trace it, we are appealing to anyone who has information or footage that could help us locate it.

If you have dashcam footage of the collision itself, or of any of the vehicles in the lead up to the collision, between J32-J33 Northbound, between 11:10pm and 11:20pm, please get in touch with us, and let us know.

"If you have any information that could assist us, please call 101 quoting log 1242 of February 15."

References

1. ^ Lancashire (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ HGV (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Lancashire Live reports (www.lancs.live)