Motorists heading to Blackpool endured a ‘Black Friday’ of a different kind.

Following a serious crash involving more than three cars the westbound carriageway was closed on the M55.

The section of motorway from Junction 1 (Broughton) to Junction 3 (Kirkham) was closed since shortly after 5.30pm on Friday (23 November).

Highways England reopened the motorway shortly before midnight on Friday, and diverted many trapped drivers off the motorway beforehand.

Update: Police say a man died in the M55 crash, and two children injured

https://twitter.com/Shr33k1/status/1066065599028256768

Jenny Bradley said: “We were two cars behind the crash.

“Have got to say what a fantastic job the emergency services and highways are doing.

“It’s a mess out here and I think a lot of family’s will be having a horrendous night.

“We are lucky we’re able to go home.”

An earlier crash on the M55 eastbound, on the same stretch, has also led to additional congestion although the motorway eastbound was reopened at 7.30pm.

Motorists have taken to social media to describe being trapped on the carriageway for more than three hours in some cases.

https://twitter.com/katroberts40/status/1066073683142328325

Inspector Steve Bradshaw from Lancashire Police told Blog Preston on Saturday (24 November): “It was a very serious crash and the investigation work on these kinds of incidents does take time.

“We will be releasing further details in due course about the incident.”

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