M65 reopened after teen killed on motorway

The 18-year-old woman died after she was in collision with a white sprinter van on the motorway at around 4am.

The eastbound carriageway was closed for more than six hours between Junctions 9 and 10 by as investigations were carried out.

There were huge rush hour tailbacks caused as traffic was diverted along the A679 Accrington Road.

But the motorway was fully reopened at around 10-30am.

Police have identified the dead woman and her family have been informed.

The 48-year-old van driver, from Burnley, was treated for shock at the scene.

Police are now appealing for witnesses who may have seen the fatal incident.

Senior Investigating Officer Sergeant Tracey Ward, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “Although it was in the early hours of the morning, there may have been people driving on the motorway who may have witnessed what happened or spotted the woman.

“I would appeal for those people to come forward and get in touch. An investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened and why the woman was on the motorway.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the road policing unit on 101.