Air ambulance called as M6 northbound from Preston shut

Scene on the M6 where a car had overturned Pic: ACC Terry Woods

Preston experienced traffic gridlock on Friday afternoon due to a serious crash on the M6.

The motorway was shut at junction 32 northbound due to a crash requiring the air ambulance further north – near Forton services.

It meant traffic being diverted via the A6 at the Broughton roundabout and could not join the motorway through the M55 slip.

Traffic was already heavy around 4pm on the city’s road network with Stagecoach reporting delays of more than 20 minutes to its services on routes around the city, particularly heading north up Garstang Road.

Lancashire Police had closed the motorway all the way up to Junction 34 due to the crash and the southbound carriageway is also closed with the air ambulance called out.

Police say one vehicle has overturned in the crash which took place shortly after 4.30pm on Friday (20 April).

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have been called to assist with cutting people free from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle has been cut free from the car and has been taken to hospital by ambulance. They are not thought to have serious injuries.

Lancashire Police later said the man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after failing a breath test.

The motorway was fully reopened shortly after 6.30pm although congestion is expected until around 8pm.

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