M62 Horror: Woman Killed Driving Wrong Way in Fiery Crash
A woman driving the wrong way on the M62 motorway died in a head-on collision with a BMW, police confirmed today. The crash, which occurred late Saturday night near Saddleworth, led to a significant eastbound closure for investigation and recovery. Emergency services were on scene, and an appeal for witnesses has been issued.
A tragic head-on collision on the M62 motorway claimed the life of a woman driving in the wrong direction, police confirmed today (July 12). The incident, which occurred late on Saturday night (July 11), involved a grey Nissan Juke and a grey BMW X5 near Saddleworth in Oldham. The driver of the Nissan, a woman aged in her 50s, suffered serious injuries and sadly died at the scene, while the occupants of the BMW X5 were treated for only minor injuries.
Emergency services were called to the eastbound section of the M62 between Junction 21 and 22 at approximately 11pm on Saturday. The Nissan Juke was found overturned onto its roof at the scene, a grim testament to the force of the impact. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that it is believed the Nissan was travelling against the flow of traffic on the eastbound carriageway prior to the collision.
The severity of the incident prompted a full closure of the M62 eastbound between Junction 20 (Thornham Interchange) and Junction 22 (Denshaw). The closure remained in place on Sunday morning as GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit conducted extensive accident investigation work. National Highways advised motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, with traffic caught within the closure being turned around and released from the rear of the queue.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed their involvement, with two fire engines from Rochdale and Heywood, alongside specialist rescue resources from Ashton-under-Lyne, attending the scene. Firefighters worked in conjunction with colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Police, and National Highways to extricate the female casualty trapped inside the overturned vehicle. Despite their efforts, the woman succumbed to her injuries. GMFRS extended their thoughts to the family and friends of the deceased.
The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time. GMP has issued an appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information, urging them to come forward. Specifically, they are keen to speak to individuals who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the moments leading up to the incident. Information can be provided to police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 4349 of 11/07, or through GMP's online report tool or LiveChat function on their website. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The road closure was expected to continue for several hours due to the investigation and the need for significant debris clearance and vehicle recovery.