Seven-Car Crash Closes M65 Westbound Near Blackburn

A multi-vehicle collision involving at least seven cars has closed a section of the M65 motorway westbound near Blackburn in Lancashire, causing severe delays for drivers during the evening rush hour.

The incident occurred around 4:20 p.m. at Junction 3, the Brimmicroft Interchange, along the A674 Chorley Road in Blackburn West Wheelton. Lancashire Police reported being alerted to the crash at that time, initially describing it as involving six vehicles, though traffic monitoring services later confirmed at least seven. All lanes westbound remain closed as emergency responders work to clear the scene and manage the aftermath.

Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and fire crews, arrived promptly and are on site to handle the situation. Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads at Junction 3, but queues have stretched to six miles, with delays exceeding one hour. Congestion has backed up to Junction 4 at Darwen and Blackburn South. The eastbound carriageway is also affected, with slower traffic between Junctions 1 and 4, or up to Junction 6, primarily due to drivers slowing to view the incident.

National Highways, which oversees the motorway, issued...