Man Discovered Dead in Car 28 Hours After M61 Embankment Crash
A man in his 30s from Nelson, Lancashire, was found dead inside an Audi A3 on Monday morning. Lancashire Police discovered the vehicle on the northbound M61 at junction nine in the early hours of March 23.
Investigators believe the driver lost control at about 10pm on Saturday, March 21. The car descended a steep embankment, struck trees and came to rest out of view from the carriageway.
Timeline and discovery
Roughly 28 hours passed between the suspected collision and the vehicle’s discovery. Officers were not alerted to the scene until about 2am on March 23.
The man was found with serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash site had been hidden from the motorway by the embankment and trees.
Road closures and emergency response
The M61 remained closed for much of Monday while collision investigators worked at the scene. Closures caused long delays on the M6, and diversion routes were put in place.
Emergency services stayed at the site all day. Paramedics, fire crews, police and National Highways traffic officers managed the closure until the vehicle was recovered.
Investigation and appeal
Lancashire Police said they are supporting the man’s family. The force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is leading inquiries into the M61 embankment crash.
Sgt Bex Price, of the Road Policing Unit, appealed for witnesses and any relevant footage. Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log 0074 of March 23.
Information can also be emailed to the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected]. Filmogaz.com will update this story as more details emerge.
