LIVE EVENT ENDEDUpdated 9 hours ago
Air ambulances were called to the scene
Police at the scene of an RTC on Warrington Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Updated 18:42, 06 May 2026
There is a significant police presence in Ashton-in-Makerfield this afternoon (May 6) following a ‘serious’ crash near to a school.
Local councillor Danny Fletcher said on Facebook that a ‘serious’ road traffic collision had taken place on Warrington Road near Byrchall High School at around 2pm.
Roads in the area are shut with ambulances and fire engines in attendance. “Police have confirmed there’s no wider risk to the public,” Cllr Fletcher said.
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“The school is locked down purely to support the emergency response.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We are currently responding to a collision on Warrington Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, with partners from other emergency services in attendance.
“Four people have been taken to hospital and initial enquiries are ongoing at the scene. We thank people for their patience as road closures are currently in place.”
Byrchall High School has issued a statement following the incident. It states: “All of our students are safely making their way home. Today has been a difficult day for all of our community, and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by today’s events.
“We are very grateful to our students, families and to the many staff who came together to help and support each other and those involved. School will be open as normal tomorrow.”
6th May18:28 BST
End of live coverage
That brings our live coverage of this incident to an end – thank you for joining.
6th May17:12 BST
Warrington Road still closed
Here’s exactly where today’s incident took place.
Warrington Road remains shut, according to Google Maps’ traffic data.
6th May16:46 BST
‘Multiple’ cars involved, eyewitnesses say
Rami is being told at the scene that as many as five cars were involved in the collision.
GMP told us earlier that two cars were involved in the collision.
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6th May16:19 BST
Our reporter at the scene
Our reporter Rami is now at the scene.
He says that children are now being let out from Byrchall High School, which was locked down for a period.
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6th May16:16 BST
‘All students are safely making their way home’ – school statement in full
Byrchall High School have issued an update on their Facebook page.
All of our students are safely making their way home.Today has been a difficult day for all of our community, and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by today’s events.We are very grateful to our students, families and to the many staff who came together to help and support each other and those involved.School will be open as normal tomorrow.
6th May16:14 BST
More photos from the scene
More photos sent in from the scene appear to show a sizeable cordon outside the school.
A road outside Byrchall High School in Wigan is shut this afternoon following a serious road traffic collision.(Image: Facebook/Jack Roberts)
6th May15:45 BST
No arrests made and no pupils affected
No arrests have been made in connection with this incident, which is not related to the nearby school, the M.E.N understands.
No pupils have been affected.
6th May15:43 BST
GMP statement in full
We’ve had a statement from Greater Manchester Police.
We are currently responding to a collision on Warrington Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, with partners from other emergency services in attendance. Four people have been taken to hospital and initial enquiries are ongoing at the scene.We thank people for their patience as road closures are currently in place.
6th May15:33 BST
Road closures in place
Lodge Lane coming off the East Lancs and M6 northbound into Ashton-in-Makerfield appears to be shut, according to Google Maps.
Image: Google Maps
6th May15:27 BST
First photos from the scene
The first photos from the scene show several fire engines and police cars at the scene, with two damaged cars being loaded onto a trailer.
Parents and carers can be seen waiting outside the entrance to Byrchall High School.
A road outside Byrchall high school in Wigan is shut this afternoon following a serious road traffic collision.(Image: Facebook/Jack Roberts )
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