Drink drive arrest after woman seriously injured in M6 crash

The incident saw the busy motorway closed in both directions this afternoon, Wednesday, between junction 21 for the A57 Manchester Road at Woolston and junction 20 for the M56 at Lymm Interchange.

An air ambulance landed at the scene, with firefighters working to extract casualties from vehicles.

Long tailbacks formed heading for miles northbound and southbound following the crash which saw a vehicle overturn.

Cheshire Police has now confirmed, as the highway begins to reopen, that officers have made an arrest.

A force spokesman said: “Officers were called just before 2pm today, Wednesday, July 27, to the M6 between junction 20 to junction 21 following reports of a collision involving a red dropside lorry, a black Nissan Qashqai and white Mercedes AMG.

“As a result of the collision, the Nissan overturned.

“A passenger in the Nissan, a woman, has sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“The driver of the Mercedes, a 47-year-old man from Chorley has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

“Lane closures are currently in place in lane four of both the northbound and southbound carriageways for barrier repair works.”

Three fire engines were sent to the scene from Lymm and Birchwood fire stations, as well as from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

A Cheshire Fire and rescue Service spokesman said: “Emergency services attended the scene of a road traffic collision on the M6 southbound near Woolston.

“Three vehicles were involved, with one is on its roof with two people trapped.

“Following an assessment by ambulance crews, firefighters released the two casualties from the overturned vehicle.

“The casualties were placed into the care of the ambulance service.”

All routes through Warrington are also heavily congested as traffic tries to divert, particularly Chester Road, Wilderspool Causeway, London Road, Knutsford Road, Kingsway and Winwick Road.

Traffic is also busy on the M56.