M62 reopens after crash kills 19-year-old passenger

M62 crash traffic
The motorway was shut between 10:30pm on 21 December, and around 9am the following morning Credit: National Highways England

The M62 has reopened after a fatal crash closed both lanes.

The crash took place near Rochdale around 10:30pm on Thursday 21 December, and resulted in the nineteen-year-old passenger being pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, while another passenger was not injured.

The M62 remained closed until 9am on 22 December, as emergency services worked to clear the wreckage.

Police say initial enquiries suggest that a grey Vauxhall Astra was driving westbound on the M62 near to junction 21 in Milnrow when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with the central barriers.

Subsequently, the car then crossed over onto the eastbound carriageway and overturned.

The 19-year-old driver was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody for questioning.

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