A man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the M6 motorway.
A man has been taken to hospital following a crash involving a BMW colliding with the central reservation. Firefighters have also confirmed that they were also called to extinguish a blaze in the boot of the car.
An air ambulance and other emergency services were scrambled to the scene at around 5.10pm this evening (February 14). They were called to junction 26 heading northbound around Orrell.
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The M6 was closed in both directions. The northbound carriageway remains closed heading northbound between junction 26 and 27 for Gathurst while investigations continued. It is likely to be closed until around 8pm.
It is understood that traffic is being released heading southbound after the carriageway was closed to assist emergency services. Traffic has been building for hours in the area and motorists have been advised to avoid the location.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm emergency services are dealing with a serious RTC on the M6 this evening, Tuesday 14 February. At around 5.10pm, Air Ambulance, NWMPG and Merseyside Police officers were called to Junction 26 northbound (Orrell) to reports of a single vehicle RTC, involving a BMW in collision with the central reservation.
"The male driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The M6 remains closed northbound between Junction 26 and Junction 27 (Gathurst) while an investigation is underway. This is likely to be closed until around 8pm."
“At around 5.15pm on Tuesday 14 February, fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the M6 northbound between junctions 26 and 27," a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said.
“Three fire engines from Wigan and Chorley, along with the water bowser and supporting fire engine from Leyland, quickly attended the incident, which involved one car. Firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish a fire in the boot of the car and helped make the area safe.
“Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were on scene for around 45 minutes.”
Merseyside Police has appeal for information, saying: "If you have any information, please call our Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 823."
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