M61 police incident brings motorway traffic to standstill near Preston

Motorway traffic was brought to a standstill this morning after a woman jumped from a footbridge over the M61 near Preston.

Police closed the northbound carriageway while the emergency services worked at the scene near Clayton Brook at around 7am.

She was taken to hospital in a serious condition but her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police statement

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We were called at just after 7am to a report of a concern for welfare of a woman on a footbridge over the M61 motorway between junction 9 and the M6.

“The woman then appeared to jump from the bridge. She was taken to hospital with injuries.

“The northbound carriageway was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.”

All traffic was held while police dealt with the incident, leading to delays on one of Lancashire's key motorway routes.

The closure affected the northbound carriageway between junction 9, where the M61 meets the M65 at Clayton Brook, and junction 30 of the M6.

Traffic monitors reported congestion back to junction 8 at Chorley.

Motorists travelling northbound on the M6 also faced delays, with traffic backing up towards junction 28 as the disruption spread across the motorway network.

Drivers were being diverted off the M61 at Chorley, causing further congestion on local roads, including Preston Road through Whittle-le-Woods and the A6 towards Bamber Bridge.

Traffic trapped behind the M61 closure was later allowed to pass the scene, but delays remained on approach to the M6.

Mental health support

If you need someone to talk to, you contact Samaritans - any time, day or night. Call them free on 116 123.

For more information, visit the Samaritans website.