Drivers who ignored M60 road closures to face prosecution

Police have said that a number of drivers who used the hard shoulder and ignored road closures, following a fatal crash on the M60 on Friday, are set to be prosecuted.

Emergency services, including the air ambulance service, raced to the scene at around 2pm on Friday (February 28), following reports of a two-vehicle RTC on the M60 between Denton and Ashton. 

A silver BMW was in collision with a stationary highways maintenance vehicle, which was on the hard shoulder on the clockwise carriageway close to Junction 23 in Audenshaw.

Two boys, aged six and eight, travelling in the BMW were taken to hospital. 

Sadly, the eight-year-old boy was pronounced dead a short time later. 

The six-year-old boy has since been released from hospital.

A woman in the stationary highways maintenance vehicle received minor injuries. 

The driver - a man in his 30s - was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drug driving. He has been bailed pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police confirmed this morning (Monday).

The motorway was closed for several hours as a result of the collision. 

Now, North West Motorway Police (NWMP) say 34 drivers who ignored the road closures in place - just to avoid traffic - were caught on camera and they will be sent prosecution notices in the post. 

NWMP said in a Facebook post: "We had several complaints regarding drivers using the hard shoulder on the M60 at the scene of the fatal collision last week.

"To keep you informed, we have obtained video evidence of 34 drivers who ignored the closures.

"They will be receiving letters in the post!"

Police are still appealing for witnesses to Friday afternoon's crash. If you have any information, contact police immediately on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident 1591 of 28/02/2020, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.