Man dies after wrong-way crash on M6 near Leyland; two others seriously injured

A man in his 50s died at the scene of a horrific collision on the M6 motorway near Leyland and Standish in Lancashire at 9:33pm on Sunday, 26 October 2025. The crash involved a Vauxhall Astra travelling the wrong way on the southbound carriageway, which slammed head-on into a Toyota Corolla moving in the correct direction. Two men in their 40s, the driver and passenger of the Corolla, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The incident triggered a massive disruption on one of the UK’s most vital transport routes — and left a community reeling.

How a Wrong-Way Driver Reached the M6

The sequence of events is now emerging from police investigations. According to Lancashire Police, the Vauxhall Astra was involved in a minor, non-injury crash on Blackpool Road in Preston at approximately 9:15pm — just 18 minutes before the fatal collision. That earlier incident, described as a "damage only crash," saw the Astra leave the scene without stopping. It then drove south, covering roughly 15 miles before entering the M6 in the wrong direction near Junction 29. Investigators believe the driver may have been disoriented, impaired, or suffering a medical episode — but no cause has been confirmed. "We don’t know why he was on the wrong carriageway," said Sergeant Rebecca Price of the Lancashire Police Road Policing Unit. "And we won’t know until we’ve reviewed every piece of evidence."

Chaos on the Motorway

The collision sent shockwaves through the region. National Highways North West immediately closed the southbound M6 between Junction 28 (Leyland) and Junction 27 (Standish). Two northbound lanes were also shut to allow emergency crews access and to manage debris. Traffic backups stretched for miles. Commuters heading home from work or travelling to Manchester Airport were stuck for up to two hours. One driver told ITV News: "I saw the flashing lights, then the whole motorway just stopped. I thought it was a routine breakdown — until I saw the ambulance sirens coming from the wrong direction." A formal diversion was set up: vehicles were directed off at Junction 28, routed through local roads via Leyland and Standish, then re-entered the M6 at Junction 27. But with narrow A-roads and school drop-off times overlapping, the alternative route became congested too. The closure remained in place through the night and into Monday morning, affecting thousands of vehicles during the peak Sunday-to-Monday travel window.

An Appeal for Footage — and Silence

Sergeant Price made a rare, emotionally charged public appeal on Monday. "A man has sadly died in this collision, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time," she said. Then came the request: "I want to make a direct appeal to anyone who was travelling on the motorway, and may have witnessed, or have dashcam footage of the collision. We're also keen to see any footage from Blackpool Road in Preston, at around 9:15pm, where we believe the Astra may have been involved in a damage only collision." But her most poignant words came next. "We know that this collision has had a significant impact on traffic in the area, and we thank those of you who were stuck in the traffic or had your route delayed for your patience whilst we responded to the incident. This will understandably cause some discussion in the local community, but I want to take this time to ask that you please refrain from speculating online or otherwise and allow our team to carry out our investigation. Please remember that there are real people who have been affected by this collision who may see your comments online." The public is urged to contact Lancashire Police via 101 or email [email protected], quoting reference log 1162. Forensic teams are still processing the scene. Dashcams, CCTV from nearby businesses, and even mobile phone videos are being reviewed.

Why This Matters Beyond the Motorway

The M6 isn’t just a road — it’s the lifeline between the Midlands and the North West. It carries freight, commuters, and holiday traffic. A single wrong-way driver can shut it down for hours. This isn’t an isolated case. In 2023 alone, the UK recorded 148 wrong-way incidents on motorways, according to the Department for Transport. Two-thirds resulted in injury or death. Most involve drivers over 50 — often with undiagnosed vision problems, dementia, or medication side effects. The Vauxhall Astra’s driver, unnamed pending next-of-kin notification, may be another tragic example. What’s different here is the clear timeline: a minor crash, then a 15-mile wrong-way journey on a high-speed motorway. That suggests a progressive loss of awareness — not a single mistake. Experts say such cases are underreported. Drivers often don’t realize they’re off course until it’s too late.

What Happens Next

The motorway is expected to reopen once the scene is fully cleared and the wreckage removed — likely by Tuesday afternoon. But the investigation will take weeks. Police are still working to identify the deceased man. The two injured men remain in stable but serious condition, with no updates beyond the initial hospital report. The family of the deceased has not yet spoken publicly. National Highways says it will review signage and lighting at the entry point to the M6 near Preston. Some have called for additional wrong-way detection systems — like those used in Germany and the Netherlands — but the cost and logistics remain contentious. For now, the community waits. Not just for answers, but for a return to normal. And for a reminder: behind every road sign, every lane, every speed limit — there are lives.