A tragic incident occurred at a Moto service station where a man passed away due to a medical emergency, leading to the closure of the station and causing traffic disruptions earlier today. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at Birch services, located on the M62 eastbound near Heywood, Greater Manchester, at 10.05 am. The Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a 50-year-old man experienced a suspected heart attack in his vehicle and unfortunately succumbed to it at the scene.
According to reports from The Manchester Evening News, the man’s family has been informed of his demise and is receiving support from specialized officers. The Moto service station was temporarily inaccessible from the M62 eastbound as emergency services dealt with the situation. However, the slip road was reopened around midday. Moto has been approached for a statement regarding the incident.
The delay on the M62 this morning followed a chaotic night on the motorway, with severe weather causing localized flooding and extensive delays for motorists. The adverse conditions, following Met Office warnings of severe wind and rain, led to the closure of a lane near Huddersfield and congestion on the westbound section of the motorway. Traffic England classified the situation as “severe,” cautioning individuals to take extra precautions on slippery roads. Several other motorways, including the M56, M6, and M61, were also affected by the challenging weather conditions.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for the Midlands and northern England, encompassing the impacted area of the M62, advising people to verify road conditions before traveling. The agency emphasized the importance of checking road, bus, and train schedules to avoid potential delays. Although weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds expired early this morning, challenging driving conditions persisted in some regions as the earlier disruptions gradually cleared away.