A WOMAN in her 40s was killed in a horror crash with a Mercedes on the M66 in the early hours of this morning.

The collision, which caused massive delays on the motorway, happened when a grey Mercedes E220 passed onto the sliproad of junction 2 northbound at around 2am.

Earlier it had been reported that the car had collided with a woman's body. However police have now confirmed that a woman, understood to be in her 40s, was hit by the car in lane one.

She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Sergeant Joe Barron of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “My thoughts remain with the woman’s family and we will continue to support them through our investigation as they come to terms with this terrible news.”

The carriageway was closed for around 10 hours between junctions 1 (Ramsbottom) and 2 (Bury) while North West Motorway Police and Traffic Officers were the scene.

A lane was also closed on the southbound carriageway to assist with investigation work and there were further diversions at Junction 3 (Radcliffe) on approach to the incident.

Motorists faced massive delays and diversions were set up directing drivers through Rochdale Road, Derby Way, and Wood Lane.

The motorway fully reopened at around 12.30pm.

An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing and police are appealing for witnesses and people with information and dashcam footage to come forward.

Sgt Barron said: “This incident caused a lot of disruption throughout the morning and into the day and I know the impact this had on motorists so I’d like to thank them for their patience as we’ve carried out our enquiries.

“I appreciate from what we know at the moment, this seems an unusual set of circumstances but our team will continue carrying out the enquiries we need to do until we find out exactly what happened.

“As it was early in the morning, there weren’t many people in the area at the time but if anyone witnessed what happened or has any CCTV, please contact us as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting reference number 147 of 02/05/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.