Drivers are being urged to avoid a major motorway after a "serious" road traffic collision, which resulted in one death and five other people being hospitalised.
The M65 in Lancashire is closed in both directions between Junction 8 Hampton and Junction 10 Burnley as a result of the serious accident.
Lancashire Police and emergency services are on the scene dealing with the accident, with roads to be "closed for some time".
Rush hour commuters are dealing with lengthy delays after the accident, which was first reported at around 4am.
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Drivers are being warned to expect hours of delays
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “At around 3:37am we were called to reports of a collision at Junction 9 of the M65 involving 3 vehicles.
“Emergency services attended and five people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, one person has very sadly died.
“Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly distressing time, and they are being supported by officers.
“The M65 is currently closed in both directions from J8 to J10 and we anticipate that the road will be closed for some time," the Lancashire Telegraph reported.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the police added that the road "will be closed for some time" while they make sure the road is safe for motorists.
Traffic maps show a large stretch of the motorway closed, as well as miles of standstill traffic on either side of the road closure.
The "serious collision" has forced National Highways to install a diversion, with traffic conditions not expected to return to normal until almost 1pm.
Motorists travelling eastbound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs by leaving the M65 at J8 and taking the third exit onto the A56 southbound.
They should then take the first exit on the A56/A679 eastern roundabout to the A679 eastbound Accrington Road before following taking the second exit at the A679/Bentley Wood Way Roundabout onto the A679 Accrington Road.
From here they can take the first exit on the A679/A671 roundabout to the A671 northbound Cavalry Way before taking the second exit at the A671 M65 J10 roundabout to rejoin the M65.
For those travelling westbound, National Highways advises: "Exit M65 J10. At J10/A671 junction turn left onto the A671 southbound Cavalry Way. At A671/A679 roundabout take third exit onto A679 Accrington Way.
"At A679/Bentley Wood Way roundabout take second exit onto the A679 Accrington Way. At A679/A56 junction continue straight through first roundabout. At second roundabout take third exit to join A56 north. At A56/M65 J8 take first exit and re-join M65."
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Motorists are likely to see delays until after midday
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways: North-West clarified on X that it had strategic matrix signs set in a 65-mile radius, although there are limited signs on the M65.
A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust told GB News: "We responded to an RTC following a call a 03.29, attending were five ambulances, two response vehicles and an operational commander.
"Five patients were taken to hospital, some [of] those required treatment for serious injuries."
