A major multi-vehicle collision caused extensive disruption and led to the closure of a significant stretch of the M60 motorway in Greater Manchester for over 24 hours, starting on Monday, July 7, just before 11:30 AM. The incident occurred between Junction 25 (Bredbury Interchange) and Junction 1 (Stockport Pyramid Roundabout), particularly impacting the area around Junction 27 (Portwood roundabout).

The chaotic scene involved nine vehicles: three heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), two vans, and four cars. According to a motorist witness, the collision was initiated by a 'speeding car' which caused another vehicle to swerve into an HGV. This HGV then swerved across the carriageway, crashing through the central reservation barrier and striking several lamp columns in the process. This initial impact triggered a 'knock-on effect' involving the other vehicles caught in the chaos.

The aftermath of the crash presented a scene of destruction. One HGV shed its load of beer barrels across the carriageways, while several ruptured fuel tanks leaked a large amount of diesel onto the motorway surface. Debris was strewn across both sides of the motorway, and horror footage showed crushed cars and a lorry cabin on its side, with the central reservation appearing to have been obliterated.

Despite the severity of the collision, there were fortunately only minor injuries reported. Nine people were assessed at the scene by emergency services, with three individuals transported to Stepping Hill Hospital for further treatment for minor injuries. Emergency responders, including Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Manchester Fire & Rescue, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), National Highways Traffic Officers, and maintenance contractors, quickly arrived at the scene to manage the incident, assist casualties, and secure the area. The fire brigade was reported to be on scene within five minutes, working to make three cars safe.

Both carriageways of the M60 were immediately closed, leading to severe delays that impacted motorists for over a full day. The closure caused significant knock-on traffic throughout Stockport town centre, Cheadle, and Bredbury, and a warning was issued to anyone travelling to or from Manchester Airport to seek alternative routes. National Highways confirmed that the road closure was expected to remain in place for a 'substantial amount of time' due to the extensive infrastructure damage, large spillage, debris clean-up, and the complex recovery of several substantially damaged large vehicles. Initially, it was estimated that normal traffic conditions might resume by 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM on Monday, but the closure extended well beyond that, continuing into Tuesday.

Recovery work for the vehicles involved has been completed, and trapped motorists within the closure were eventually released onto the opposite carriageway. However, emergency repair work, including the repair of the central reservation barrier, bridge parapet, and comprehensive resurfacing of the damaged carriageways, continues. National Highways advised that contractors would be working 'throughout the day' to complete these repairs before the road could be fully reopened. Drivers were urged to allow extra journey time or re-route their travel, with delays of up to 60 minutes reported on all approaches to the closed sections.

Diversion routes were promptly put in place for both clockwise and anti-clockwise traffic. For clockwise travel, motorists were directed to leave the M60 at Junction 25, take the third exit onto the A560, continue past J26, and then use the A5145 via Travis Brow to re-join the M60 at Junction 1. Anti-clockwise diversions involved leaving the M60 at Junction 1, taking the second exit onto the A5145 (Travis Brow), then the A560 eastbound at the roundabout, and re-joining the M60 anti-clockwise at Junction 25.

Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation into the collision and is appealing for witnesses, particularly those with dashcam footage, to come forward and assist with their enquiries. Anyone with relevant footage or information is urged to contact 101, quoting log 1196 of July 7, or use the LiveChat function on the GMP website.