A serious accident involving multiple vehicles closed the M6 in both directions this morning after an air ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
The crash, which could have involved up to ten vehicles according to reports, happened between junction 20 at Lymm interchange and 19 at Knutsford happened around 10.30 this morning.
A North West Motorway Police spokesman confirmed that the motorway was closed and that all emergency services were making their way to the scene, including the air ambulance and fire crews.
It is not believed anyone has suffered life-threatening injuries at this stage and the carriageway is estimated to reopen at 1pm.
RTC M6 SB J20/19, CCTV shows lots of vehicles involved lanes blocked. We are en route.
— NW Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) August 29, 2014
We will be closing both c/ways due to air ambulance landing
— NW Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) August 29, 2014
#M6 sb btwn J20 and J19 currently blocked both ways. @CheshireFire and @Highways_Agency Traffic Officers at scene. #Airambulance en route
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_nwest) August 29, 2014
Firefighters at scene of multi vehicle road traffic collision on the M6 Southbound J20-J19. Road currently closed. http://t.co/8sl12eug6d
— Cheshire Fire (@CheshireFire) August 29, 2014
The southbound carriageway remains closed while emergency services clear the accident as well as one lane of the northbound.
There were also reports of long tail-backs from drivers trapped in queues, with the accident causing delays of up to 30 minutes.
5-car pile up on M6 southbound (j20-j19). Air ambulance landing, firefighters trying to free trapped drivers. Loooooong tailbacks.
— Andrew Wiggins (@alboreto) August 29, 2014
Getting comfy…on the M6 #gridlocked http://t.co/VeAfAkQUxa
— Katie Marie (@KatieMarie__) August 29, 2014
Stationary traffic near M6 J19. Some huge smash with every service I can see there incl the air ambulance. Ah well..!
— Declan (@moohalaa) August 29, 2014
Oh you have to love the M6 on a Friday. Only a 119 minute delay according to TomTom. #joy #HappyFriday
— John McGrady (@John_McGrady) August 29, 2014
Image courtesy of Motorwaycameras.co.uk and Crown Copyright, with thanks