Motorists face delays as M6 remains closed following serious crash claiming the life of a 14-year-old boy

Motorists heading north towards Preston are advised of significant delays as police close the M6 following a tragic accident resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy. The crash occurred shortly after noon on Easter Sunday, April 20, and involved a Peugeot van that veered off the motorway and crashed into a tree, leading to the immediate closure of both the northbound and southbound lanes between Junction 33 (Garstang) and Junction 34 (Lancaster). The responding emergency services included the North West Air Ambulance, which was called to the scene, necessitating the closure of the northbound side temporarily to facilitate its landing. As reported, the northbound motorway reopened by around 2 PM, but the southbound lane remained obstructed for much longer, not fully reopening until approximately 8 PM. A police statement confirmed that the driver of the van, the boy's father, sustained serious injuries and had to be taken to the hospital. Despite the tragic loss of life and serious injury, no other vehicles were involved in this disastrous incident. The Lancashire Police have called for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the event to come forward. The situation highlights the dangers associated with road travel, particularly during busy holiday periods. Images shared on social media depict stranded motorists walking on the closed highway, emphasizing the chaos ensuing from this unfortunate accident. Furthermore, the incident coincides with a busy Easter travel weekend, characterized by additional disruptions caused by rail engineering works and strike actions affecting other modes of transport, underscoring the broader travel challenges faced by the public during this time. As we consider this calamity, our thoughts certainly lie with the family of the deceased and the injured father, demonstrating yet another reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of road safety during peak travel seasons.