* * * WARNING - THIS PAGE CONTAINS SOME GRAPHIC AND POSSIBLY DISTRESSING IMAGES * * *
A Police Traffic Officer on routine patrol was the first to come across the scene. He immediately requested more resources and declared a MAJOR INCIDENT.
All the pictures on this page are shown in chronological order of when they were taken, and begin with some of the 'lucky' ones, the walking wounded.
[Please note: there are over 60 pictures on this page.]
* * * WARNING - THIS PAGE CONTAINS SOME GRAPHIC AND POSSIBLY DISTRESSING IMAGES * * *
Many of the casualties suffered a variety of injuries, some sadly receiving fatal injuries. Some were just mechanically trapped in their vehicles or were too traumatised to move.
The first fire appliance to arrive was PO60KWZ from Agecroft.
Police, fire and ambulance vehicles heading to the scene.
PN57APO from Eccles.
PO68WCK from Oldham.
PO60KWV from Eccles.
Highways England Incident Commander reassures some of the casualties...
...leading them to safety.
These people had been looking forward to a night out in Manchester.
Feeling the pain.
A lady holds the hand of one of the injured coach passengers, with a firefigther on the hand to help.
She is then led to safety.
Eyes open, but injuries unknown.
Eyes closed this time, and again injuries unknown.
That's a nasy gash on her right thigh.
Work continues to extricate those trapped in the coach.
Leigh's TRU moves in closer to the incident.
Most emergency vehicles had to arrive by 'reverse' flow.
Sadly the motorcyclist was one of the fatalities.
Still more to be rescued from the coach.
One of the older casualties receives help from NWAS.
The difficulties of working in a confined space.
Another casualty has been removed from a vehicle.
Casualties are triaged.
PO68WWN from Leigh.
PO11AVM from Chadderton.
A vital resource at any Major Incident is the Command Vehicle and its crew.
A few of the many emergency vehicles that attended.
Back at the scene, a car roof is removed.
Still people remain trapped in the coach. Suggestions are that the coach may have been overloaded.
Work continues to release the driver of one of the cars.
Another car about to lose its roof.
Supporting the casualty.
Sadly this gentleman had to have his leg amputated at the scene.
Keeping warm as the exercise draws to a close.