Woman Dies on M6 Near Haydock, Full Closure Both Directions

A woman died at the scene of an incident on the M6 motorway near Haydock in Greater Manchester on Friday morning, prompting a full closure of the highway in both directions that is expected to last throughout the day.

Greater Manchester Police received reports of concern for the woman's welfare at around 7:42 a.m. on January 16. Officers attended the location between junctions 23 and 26 and pronounced her dead shortly after arrival. Authorities stated that formal identification is pending, and they do not believe any suspicious circumstances are involved in the death. The incident occurred in the area of Ashton-in-Makerfield, close to the Orrell Interchange where the M6 meets the M58.

Emergency services halted all traffic on the motorway around 8:15 a.m., closing the stretch from junction 23 at the A580 East Lancashire Road in Haydock to junction 26 at the M58 Orrell Interchange. National Highways, which manages the road network, confirmed the closure is police-led and involves ongoing enquiries at the scene. Traffic officers are assisting with the response.

The shutdown has caused significant delays for drivers in the region. Initial reports indicated up to 60 minutes of holdups...