M61: Car bursts into flames after three-vehicle smash

Three vehicles smashed into each other near Junction 4 for Farnworth just after 2.40pm today (Sunday, October 6) leaving one car’s bonnet engulfed in flames.

One of the cars involved had crashed into the nearside barrier.

Ambulance, fire services and police rushed to the scene. Three fire engines from Farnworth and Bolton were called.

Crews in breathing apparatus used a hose jet to put the car’s fire out. They remained on scene for 50 minutes.

The accident caused the M61 to close until around 5.45pm with traffic diverted via the exit and entry slip roads.

(Image: Carl Haslam)

Lanes one and two are still closed for emergency barrier repairs.

A National Highways’ team is repairing the barriers and cleaning the oil and fuel that spilled from the car onto the carriageway. 

No one was injured and there were no arrests made.  

A person had “self-rescued” from the burning car. It has since been removed.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 2.50pm today (Sunday 6 October), three fire engines from Farnworth and Bolton Central fire stations were called to reports of a crash involving three vehicles, including one vehicle which was on fire, on the M61 northbound between junctions 4 and 5.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus used a hose jet to put the fire out. Greater Manchester Police closed the carriageway, managed motorway traffic and worked with firefighters to make the area safe. One person self-rescued from the vehicle. Crews were at the scene for around 50 minutes."

(Image: Carl Haslam)

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "There was a multicar road traffic collision on the M61 with one of those cars setting on fire. None of the parties were injured and there were no arrests made."

“The police were called to the scene at 2.40pm.”

A National Highways spokesperson said: “The incident happened at 2.43pm at Junction 4 (Bolton) of the M61 northbound. 

“One vehicle was involved which collided with the nearside barrier.

“All emergency services attended - Ambulance, Fire, and Police, plus National Highways Traffic Officers.

“The M61 was closed until around 5.45pm this evening following the collision, with traffic diverted via the exit and entry slip roads.

M61 Northbound traffic by Junction 4 (Image: Phil Taylor)

“The vehicle involved has now been recovered and removed. 

“Lanes 1 and 2 presently remain closed for repairs to the barrier and to clear an oil and fuel spillage from the vehicle on the carriageway. 

“National Highways' teams are currently on site completing the barrier repairs and removing the spillage.”