M6 closed: Major motorway to be shut 'for number of hours' between junctions 23 and 26 after woman found dead
A major motorway is closed after a woman has been found dead.
Both carriageways of the motorway were closed between junctions 23 at Haydock and 26 at Orrell, near Wigan, from shortly after 08:00 GMT, causing miles of tailbacks. Greater Manchester Police said it was called following concerns for the welfare of a woman at about 07:42 GMT but she was found dead at the scene.
National Highways North West said it could not estimate when the motorway would re-open and expected it to remain closed "throughout the day". The agency said there were delays of about 60 minutes on the approach to the northbound closure, with five miles of congestion.
GMP said: "Officers are dealing with a fatal incident on the M6 this morning. Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Formal identification has yet to take place. Junctions 23-26 are currently closed both north and southbound.”
National Highways: “#M6 remains closed both ways btwn J23 (#Haydock) - J26 (#Orrell#M58) Delays:- 60 minutes Northbound and 30 min South *Traffic caught within the closure (in both directions) is being turned around to leave the scene”.