One casualty seriously injured in M6 lorry crash near Wigan, southbound remains closed

The motorway was closed southbound between J23 (Haydock Island) to J22 (Warrington North, Winwick A49) after the crash at around 11am (August 17).

Emergency services, including the air ambulance, attended the scene after the crash involving a lorry and two cars.

One casualty was taken to hospital by land ambulance, but North West Ambulance Service said it is unable to comment on the person's condition at this stage.

An ambulance spokesman said: "We were called at 10.56am today to reports of a road traffic collision on the M6 between junctions 23 and 22.

"We sent a number of resources to the scene, including two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a resource from our hazardous area response team (HART), an on-scene commander and the air ambulance.

"One person was taken to hospital by land ambulance."

It has now been confirmed all lanes of the motorway have reopened.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "The incident has now concluded and all closures have been lifted, carriageway is now re-open.

"Thanks again for your patience today and have a safe onward journey."

It had previously warned of delays of around 1 hour on approach to the incident and diversions were put in place.

The accident lead to congestion back to J26 (M58 Orrell Interchange) southbound and J21A (M62 Croft Interchange) northbound, as well as local routes through Lowton, Winwick and Newton-le-Willows.

The M62 also saw delays as trapped traffic sought alternative routes.

The stricken vehicles were stranded in lane three (of three) on the southbound carriageway.

The M6 northbound entry slip road at J22 had briefly been closed earlier this morning after a spillage on the carriageway.

Traffic Officers and Highways maintenance crews attended at around 8.45am and cleaned the spillage before reopening it at 9.10am.

It is not known at this stage whether this morning's spillage is related to the crash this afternoon.