The motorway has been closed between junction 27 and 26 with diversions in place
A woman has died after reportedly “falling from a bridge” on a motorway. The M6 between junction 27 (Standish) and junction 26 (Skelmersdale) is fully closed following the incident which happened at around 1.25am today, Friday, August 16.
Police said they received a call for a concern for welfare of a woman in the early hours of this morning. However, when emergency services arrived at the scene they found the body of a woman. In an earlier statement, police said they had been responding to a report “of a person falling from a bridge”.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the M6 southbound between junction 27 and 26 will remain closed while investigations are carried out. “Significant delays” are expected in the area due to the closure.
A spokesperson for GMP said: “At around 1.25am this morning (Friday 16 August 2024), we were called to the junction 27 of the M6 for a concern for welfare of a female. We attended the scene and sadly discovered the body of the female. The M6 southbound between junction 27 and 26 is closed while officers continue with their investigations.
“Significant delays are to be expected in the area for the immediate future. Thank you for your patience at this time. If anyone has any information about this incident or any footage, including dashcam, CCTV, or mobile phone footage is asked to call 101 quoting log number 171 of 16/08/2024.”
National Highways issued a statement saying the closure will remain as investigations are ongoing. They told the ECHO: “At around 02:00 the M6 southbound near Wigan was closed to assist the multi-agency response to this North West Motorway Police Group led incident.
“National Highways Traffic Officers are at scene implementing traffic management to support both police and the North West Ambulance Service. Due to the nature of the incident police collision investigations are required, the carriageway will not be able to re-open until these have taken place. There is currently no estimate available for the M6 southbound between J27 and J26 can open.”
Diversions are currently in place and drivers are advised to follow the “solid square” diversion symbol. The diversions include:
Non-HGV route includes a low railway bridge 12’0″ (3.6m) and narrow canal bridge:
- Leave the M6 at J27.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and join the A5209. Follow the A5209.
- At the junction with the B5206 turn right onto the B5206 southbound (Shevington Lane).
- At the junction with the A577 turn left and join the A577 eastbound (Orrel Road).
- At M6 J26 turn right onto the access road.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and re-join the M6 south.
HGV route:
- Leave the M6 at J27.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and join the A5209. Follow the A5209.
- At the junction with the A49 turn right and join the A49 southbound (Wigan Road).
- At the A49/Saddle Gyratory, join the A577 westbound (Ormskirk Road).
- At M6 J26 turn right onto the access road.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and re-join the M6 south.