LIVE EVENT ENDEDUpdated 2 hours ago
The motorway was shut for over 24 hours – with three hour delays reported
The M6 remains shut tonight (Image: National Highways )
Updated 04:05, 20 Oct 2026
A stretch of the M6 motorway in Greater Manchester was shut on Monday night, more than 24 hours after a fatal crash – with the road reopening early on Tuesday morning.
The northbound carriageway was first closed off at around 10.20pm on Sunday due to the crash and vehicle fire. Emergency services descended on the scene and the motorway was then fully closed off in both directions between junction 23 for Haydock and junction 24 for Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The crash involved a van and a lorry. Police confirmed the van driver, 41-year-old Vadim Suflet, died following the crash.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
The southbound carriageway reopened on Monday afternoon. The road fully reopened at around 4am on Tuesday
In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “At around 9.55pm, we received a report of a collision involving a van and a lorry northbound between junctions 23 (Newton-le-Willows) and 24 (Ashton-in-Makerfield). The van driver was sadly pronounced deceased and his family are being supported by specialist officers as the investigation continues.
“We can confirm that he is Vadim Suflet, 41. The lorry driver stopped at the scene and is assisting with enquiries. A closure remains in place on the northbound carriageway and diversions are in place. Drivers affected are asked to allow extra journey time and check National Highways website before setting off.”
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.
Today03:58 BST
The M6 has reopened
The M6 northbound in Merseyside between J23 Haydock & J24 Ashton In Makerfield has now fully reopened after being closed for over 24 hours.
All lanes are now open and there is currently no significant delays on approach.
Today02:24 BST
No estimated re-opening time
Although the work is expected to be completed by the morning, there is currently no estimated time for the road re-opening according to National Highways.
19th Oct23:21 BST
Work expected to be completed by morning
In a fresh update from National Highways the service said the emergency resurfacing works are “expected to be completed by the morning”. At the moment the road remains closed.
19th Oct22:07 BST
Motorway to remain shut throughout Monday night
A National Highways spokesperson said:
The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J23 (Newton Le Willows) and J24 (Ashton In Makerfield). This is to allow for emergency resurfacing works to take place following a serious collision which occurred just prior to 22:00 last night (18.10.26).The collision, involving a van and a lorry, resulted in one of the vehicles catching fire. This resulted in significant damage to the road surface from the fire and also a large fuel spillage. Police collision investigation works took place throughout the night and into the morning under a full closure of the road in both directions. The southbound carriageway re-opened at approximately 07:30 this morning.Lanes 1, 2 and 3 (of 4) require full resurfacing, and due to safety requirements, lane 4 also needs to remain closed until the works are completed.The road is expected to remain closed throughout the night. There is currently no estimated time for the road re-opening.”
19th Oct21:13 BST
Motorway now shut for 23 hours
The M6 northbound has now been shut for around 23 hours following the incident.
19th Oct20:56 BST
‘Very heavy congestion’
Traffic monitor Inrix continue to warn motorists about the traffic on M6
19th Oct20:52 BST
M6 closure still in place with heavy traffic surrounding the area
Road closure remains in place on the M6(Image: Google)
19th Oct20:38 BST
People stuck on M6 for over five hours
One user on X penned: “8 1/2 hours it took me to get through.”
19th Oct20:35 BST
Latest images of congestion
(Image: National Highways)
(Image: National Highways)
19th Oct20:15 BST
Traffic monitor Inrix offer congestion update
“Congestion to J22 (Newton Le Willows). Newton-Le-WIllows and Ashton-in-Makerfield are experiencing very heavy congestion as a result of this closure. The M62 East into Manchester is also congested”
19th Oct20:13 BST
Heavy congestion between J22 and 23
Heavy congestion on M6(Image: National Highways)
19th Oct20:12 BST
Diversion in place for motorists
Follow the hollow diamond symbols via the A580 Westbound towards Haydock, and the A58 Eastbound towards Ashton-in-Makerfield to re-join at J24
19th Oct20:10 BST
Traffic around the area
(Image: Google)
19th Oct19:45 BST
Latest photo from the scene
The M6 remains shut northbound.
The M6 remains shut tonight(Image: National Highways )
19th Oct19:34 BST
Three hour delays
A National Highways spokesperson said:
M6 northbound between J23 #Haydock & J24 #AshtonInMakerfield remain closed. Lanes 1,2 & 3 (of 4) require full resurfacing & due to safety lane 4 will be closed until works are completed. Delays in excess of 180 minutes on the approach. “
19th Oct19:03 BST
Closure remains in place
The motorway remains closed. The route has now been shut for 21 hours.
19th Oct18:32 BST
Police confirm van driver killed
Police have confirmed a van driver has died as a result of this incident.
19th Oct17:19 BST
Two hour delay on M6 following serious crash
There is now a two hour delay on the M6 this rush hour as three lanes out of four require resurfacing.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
19th Oct16:54 BST
Motorway now shut for 18 hours
The motorway has now been shut for 18 hours. Merseyside Police were first called to the scene shortly before 10pm.
19th Oct16:38 BST
Traffic continues
Long delays persist on the M6 this late afternoon.
Inrix says: “Following a serious accident involving a van and a lorry late last night.
“Diversion – follow the hollow diamond symbols via the A580 Westbound towards Haydock, and the A58 Eastbound towards Ashton-in-Makerfield to re-join at J24.”
19th Oct16:18 BST
M6 closure remains in place
Inrix, the traffic data company, said:
M6 Northbound closed, long delays due to emergency road repairs from J23 A580 East Lancashire Road (Haydock) to J24 A58 Liverpool Road (Ashton In Makerfield). Congestion to J22 (Newton Le Willows).Following a serious accident involving a van and a lorry late last night.”
19th Oct14:00 BST
Heavy traffic remains on the M6 northbound
This is how the traffic looks as of 2pm.
Heavy traffic on the M6 northbound(Image: National Highways)
19th Oct13:15 BST
Update from National Highways as M6 to remain shut into this evening
National Highways say the northbound side of the motorway will remain closed into the evening.
“The collision, involving a van and a lorry, resulted in one of the vehicles catching fire. This resulted in significant damage to the road surface from the fire and also a large fuel spillage.”Police collision investigation works took place throughout the night and into the morning under a full closure of the road in both directions. The southbound carriageway re-opened at approximately 07:30 this morning.”Lanes 1, 2 and 3 (of 4) require fully resurfacing, and due to safety requirements, lane 4 also needs to remain closed until the works are completed.”The road is expected to remain closed throughout the day and into the evening. There is currently no estimated time for the road re-opening.”
19th Oct12:13 BST
Delays of around an hour on M6 northbound
The northbound side of the motorway remains shut between J23 and J24.
There are now delays of around an hour up to the closure.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
19th Oct10:53 BST
Merseyside Police issues statement after crash involving van and lorry
In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said:
“We can confirm emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M6.”At around 9.55pm last night (Sunday 18 October), we received a report of a collision involving a van and a lorry between junctions 23 and 24.”The northbound carriageway remains closed this morning and motorists are advised to avoid the route while emergency services deal with the incident. Thank you for your patience.”
19th Oct10:39 BST
Closure now been in place for around 12 hours
The closure on the M6 northbound has now been in place for around 12 hours.
The crash was first reported just after 10pm on Sunday evening.
19th Oct10:02 BST
Cameras show queues on M6 northbound
Here’s how the queues look at 10am.
Traffic on the M6
19th Oct09:13 BST
Long delays remain on M6 northbound
Long delays remain on the M6 northbound this morning.
The motorway remains shut between J23 and J24 near Ashton-in-Makerfield.
19th Oct08:27 BST
‘No estimated time’ for motorway reopening
National Highways said:
“As a result of one of the vehicles involved in the collision catching fire, damage has been sustained to the road surface which now requires resurfacing.”Emergency works will be taking place throughout the morning once the vehicle has been recovered.”There is not currently an estimated time for the road re-opening. “
19th Oct07:59 BST
Long queues on M6 this morning
Here’s an updated picture of the traffic on the M6 near the closure this morning.
Traffic on the M6 motorway
Follow Manchester Evening News: