Drivers have been warned of day-long delays following a serious incident along a major motorway in Staffordshire which left a man dead.
The M6 in Staffordshire remains closed southbound between J16 (Crewe) and J15 (Stoke-on-Trent) following a serious collision.
National Highways: West Midlands has warned that the carriageway is likely to remain closed throughout the day.
Motorists face “severe delays” of up to 90 minutes, with traffic maps showing the average speed of vehicles caught in the area travelling at just 1mph.
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Traffic maps warn of long delays for motorists along the M6
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A collision was first reported last night in which National Highways reported that emergency services were in attendance, which temporarily closed both lanes of the M6.
A spokesperson added: “This is a protracted police closure and the carriageway will remain closed throughout the day for ongoing investigation work at the scene.”
There is around five miles of congestion back to J17 for Sandbach with motorists encouraged to look at alternative routes if they need to use the M6.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service reported that the organisation had been called to the scene near Newcastle-under-Lyme just before 10pm on Thursday night.
They added: “On arrival, crews found two men. The first patient, the driver of the lorry, was found in a critical condition and sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him, and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.
“The second patient, the driver of the car, was treated for potentially serious injuries before being conveyed under blue lights and sirens to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”
It is believed that an ambulance, a paramedic officer, a BASICS emergency doctor, a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car from Cosford were called to the scene.
National Highways confirmed that a planned overnight closure on the A500, which was on the diversion route, was lifted as a result of the ongoing incident.
The National Highways website states that the event is expected to clear between 2pm and 2.15pm, with normal traffic conditions expected to resume at the same time.
However, the road is likely to remain closed throughout the day as traffic officers deal with the situation.
A diversion route has also been introduced to help motorists caught up in the accident, with drivers encouraged to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs.
Drivers should exit the M6 southbound at J16 and join the A500 southbound. From here, they can continue around Stoke-on-Trent on Queensway to rejoin the M6 southbound at J15.
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National Highways said the road would likely remain closed for the day
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said the road would remain closed while it while “an investigation takes place”. It also called for drivers to use alternative routes to avoid the congested area.
