A number of motorists were treated for minor injuries after a crash to the south of Preston.
The M61 was closed southbound while emergency services dealt with a six-car pile up.
Lancashire Police went to the scene around 6.30pm on Monday (11 December).
The incident took place just beyond junction 8 of the motorway at Chorley.
A police spokesman said: “Unbelievably only minor injuries. Thank you for your patience whilst we dealt with a catastrophic scene.”
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All lanes reopened around 8.45pm on the M61.