Several people have been injured after a lorry ploughed through the central reservation of the M60 motorway, crashing into six vehicles in a serious collision near Swinton, Greater Manchester.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:00pm on Thursday evening, prompting a major emergency response and the closure of both carriageways between junctions 15 and 16.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said:

“We are responding to a collision on the M60 motorway at junction 15 in Swinton involving an HGV crossing the central reservation into the opposite lane, before going into the embankment. The HGV crashed into six vehicles.”

Paramedics from North West Ambulance Service attended the scene, with several people receiving treatment at the roadside. One person has been taken to Salford Royal Hospital, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed.

A GMFRS spokesperson added:

Four people were assessed by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service, and one person is being conveyed to Salford Royal Hospital. Firefighters remain in attendance at this time.”

National Highways reported that at least one vehicle had breached the central reservation barrier, and that the motorway is expected to remain closed until at least midnight while recovery and investigation work is carried out.

They urged drivers to avoid the area, warning of long delays and heavy congestion in both directions.

Social media users posted dramatic eyewitness accounts of the scene. Suzanne Hayward, posting on X (formerly Twitter), wrote:

“Massive crash on M60 between 14 and 15 clockwise. Lorry crashed through central reservation and has gone across motorway and down the embankment on clockwise side. Multiple vehicles, police in attendance. Huge tailbacks and lane closures anti-clockwise.”

Emergency services remain at the scene, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.

Motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes and allow for extra travel time as disruption is expected to continue into the early hours of Friday.