THE motorway junction which was the scene of a fatal car crash this morning is shortly to reopen.

Police urged motorists to avoid the Heaton Park area after the crash between a red Skoda and a black BMW near junction 19, for the Three Arrows roundabout, at 6.30am.

The man driving the Skoda died at the scene. A woman and her teenage daughter travelling in the BMW were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

It is believed the crash occurred when one of the cars skidded on surface water on the road.

Police shut the motorway between Simister Island and Denton for emergency repairs to the central barrier and while accident investigations were carried out.

Traffic was diverted up the junction 19 slip road, across the Middleton Road roundabout and back onto the M60 anticlockwise.

This caused severe delays, with tailbacks on the M60 back to junction 16 for Pendlebury, on the M62 back to junction 20 at Rochdale, and on the M66 back to Ramsbottom.

Police have now said the highways agency are in the process of reopening the carriageway, and normal traffic conditions can be expected from 4pm onwards.

Inspector Tony Allt said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the man’s family at this tragic time.

“We are working to piece together the events leading up to the collision and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone with information should call the GMP’s Serious Collisions Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.