Overview
- Emergency services were called at about 5:40pm after a crash on the northbound carriageway between junctions 4 and 5, with one vehicle leaving the road and coming to rest in a ditch.
- Fire crews freed a man and a woman who were trapped with multiple injuries, and both were taken to hospital by ambulance teams.
- The motorway is closed in both directions between junctions 2 and 4, with National Highways Traffic Officers managing traffic at the scene.
- Northbound drivers should follow the solid square diversion via the A666 Kearsley Spur, A6053, A5082 and A6 to rejoin at junction 4; southbound drivers should follow the solid circle via the A6, A5082, A6053 and A666 to rejoin at junction 2.
- National Highways says the closure is expected to clear between 10:45pm and 11pm, advising motorists to allow extra time, consider alternative routes or delay travel, and check trafficengland.com or call 0300 123 5000 for updates.