THE M62 is closed after a crash involving four vehicles and a van during rush hour this morning.
Paramedics rushed to the scene at around 9.15am following the huge collision between junctions 18 and 19.
National HighwaysA diversion has been put in place[/caption]
Traffic was then blocked from passing – with a full closure of the eastbound carriageway put in place.
One lane was initially reopened around 10am, but has subsequently closed again – with drivers diverted via an alternative route.
Drivers have been told expect severe delays of longer than an hour.
Greater Manchester Police remain at the scene, a National Highways spokesperson said.
Paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service are also understood to be present.
An initial update from the Inrix traffic monitoring service said: “Severe delays and three lanes closed due to accident on M62 Eastbound from J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island) to J19 A6046 Middleton Road (Heywood). Lanes one two and three (of four).”
A further post said: “All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M62 Eastbound from J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island) to J19 A6046 Middleton Road (Heywood).
“Congestion to M60 J14 (Swinton Interchange). All traffic was held around 09:15am.”
Queues are understood to stretch back to the M61 at Kearsley.
There are also queues on the M62 westbound approaching the crash scene, and the M61 southbound approaching the M60.
Queues on the M62 following a crash this morning Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
