“Hundreds” of drivers were stranded for hours as the M58 closed after a “serious” crash.

“Hundreds” of drivers were left stranded in their cars for hours as a motorway remains closed following a crash involving three vehicles. Police were called at 12.57pm on Friday (May 17) to the collision between junctions 3 and 4 of the M58 near Skelmersdale.

The motorway was closed westbound between the M6 ​​Orrell junction near Wigan at junction 26 and junction 3 of the M58 for St Helens. Just before 5pm, Lancashire Police confirmed the closure was expected to remain in place for “a number of hours”.

Drivers trapped by the highway closure have been waiting in their cars for several hours. Carole Clarke, who was driving home to Kirkby from Accrington, said Manchester Evening News that traffic on the M58 came to a standstill immediately after coming off the M6.

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She said. “It’s very hot. It’s 22C here and it’s warmer in your car.”

Speaking to the MEN shortly before 4pm, she said: “It’s just starting to drag. I was trying to get to junction two. I don’t care as long as I get out of here.”

Carole later said traffic was being diverted from the M58 at junction 4. She said the incident happened on the side of the road at junction 3.

Other drivers who were affected by the accident took to social media to share their accounts of what happened. In a post on X, Dan Tay wrote: “Stuck on #m58 very hot, very bored but hope whatever happened everyone involved is ok.”

In another post, Tim Heap wrote: “I sat on the M58. It’s closed due to a proper accident and I explode.”

According to the latest update on the National Highways website, traffic conditions at the M6 ​​Orrell junction are not expected to return to normal until around 9pm. A map on the website reveals there is also heavy traffic queuing on the M6 ​​northbound.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We were called at 12.57pm today to reports of a three-vehicle collision between junction 3 and junction 4 on the M58.

“We are present, along with partner agencies, and at the moment, the motorway is closed between Junction 26 of the M6 ​​and Junction 3 of the M58.

“We would ask you to avoid the area and we will bring you an update when we can.”