Blackpool man killed after motorway pursuit

The man was pronounced dead at the scene

The driver, who is from Blackpool, had failed to stop for a police patrol in the resort at around 9pm yesterday and drove off “at speed” in a grey Ford Focus Sport, a spokesman for Lancashire Police said.

He set off down the M55  before joining the southbound carriageway of the M6.

At around 9.20pm the man, who has not been named, pulled over onto the hard shoulder around a mile north of Charnock Richard services, near Chorley, got out of the car, then tried to cross three lanes on foot.

He managed to get over the central barrier but was hit by a car on the northbound carriageway, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 27 and 28 and police said it was expected to remain closed until around 3am today (Monday).

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “An investigation has been launched into the exact circumstances.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information is asked to call 101.

As with all such cases, the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.