Major M62 traffic delays after multi-vehicle crash before bank holiday rush hour

The M62 has been shut westbound between junction 19 and junction 18

The M62 is closed westbound between Junction 19 near (Heywood) and Junction 18 (Motorway Traffic Cameras)

The M62 has closed after a crash involving several vehicles left one person suffering “serious and life-changing injuries”.

The westbound carriageway of the motorway has been shut between junctions 18 Simister Island Interchange and junction 19 near Heywood in Rochdale.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to the incident involving two lorries and a vehicle between the two junctions at 1.30pm.

A force spokesperson added one person had suffered “serious and life-changing injuries” and was taken to hospital.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) shared in a statement: "One woman was released from a vehicle and taken to the hospital for further treatment."

The emergency service response to the serious collision has caused severe traffic and delays on the busy motorway route. Traffic cameras show drivers caught in the closure out of their vehicles, with motorists warned to avoid the area.

Police shut the M62 westbound due to a serious collision involving several vehicles on Friday afternoon (Motorway Cameras/Traffic England)

In a statement, a Highways England spokesperson said: “The M62 is closed westbound between Junction 19 near (Heywood) and Junction 18 due to a collision.

“Emergency Services are on scene. National Highways traffic officers are on in attendance to assist with traffic management.”

Travel service Inrix has shared the latest update: "M62 Westbound closed, severe delays due to accident from J19 A6046 Middleton Road (Heywood) to J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island)."

It adds that there is congestion to junction 21 for Milnrow, with delays on routes around Rochdale, Chadderton, Oldham and Middleton as traffic diverts."