A MAJOR motorway has been closed after a man was killed in a horror crash when his car collided with a bridge.
The fatal smash took place on the westbound carriageway of the M62 in Manchester, at Junction 19 (Middleton Road) near Heywood.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found an Audi A5 S line car at around 11.45pm on Sunday.
The motor was travelling on the M62 before it came off the carriageway and collided with a bridge before bursting into flames.
It is believed no other vehicles were involved in the tragedy, police said.
A GMP spokesperson said: “Tragically, the driver, a 24-year-old man, died from his injuries at the scene.
“This section of the motorway is still closed whilst enquiries continue, and delays are expected to continue into today.
“We’d ask motorists to find alternative routes and plan if they can and thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation.”
Emergency services including the air ambulance raced to the scene and the road was closed between Junction 20 and Junction 19 for several hours.
The busy motorway is used by around 140,000 motorists every day.
The M62 has since reopened between Junction 20 and Junction 19 shortly after 3.30am.
However the closure within junction 19 westbound remains in place while police continue to investigate.
Contractors are now standing by for the clean up and repair operation.
This will likely “extend into the morning peak”, said National Highways.
At 5.30am, National Highways said: “The #M62 remains closed westbound between the exit and entry slips of J19 #Heywood in #GreaterManchester.
“@NWmwaypolice have nearly completed recovery and contractors are standing by for the clean up and repair operation that will likely extend into the morning peak.”
Traffic is now building up on the M62 westbound near Rochdale, approaching the closure at junction 19.
Vehicles are having to leave the motorway at junction 19 before rejoining the carriageway on the entry slip road.
Large queues are now also tailing back past junction 21 at Milnrow on the M62 westbound.
