Pile-up causes traffic chaos

Rochdale commuters faced a nightmare journey to work this morning following a motorway pile-up.

A van and up to five cars were involved in the westbound smash on the M62 between junction 20 (Rochdale) and junction 19 (Middleton) at around 7am as people returned to work following the Bank Holiday weekend.

Debris was spread across all three lanes, causing tailbacks in all directions.

A van lost a wheel and at least two cars were stranded close to the central reservation, one facing the wrong way.

A woman had to be cut free from the wreckage by firefighters and was taken to North Manchester General Hospital. The extent of her injuries was unclear at the time of publication.

Two other people declined hospital treatment.

Drivers were stuck for well over an hour as emergency services worked.