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Man Dies Following Police Pursuit on M56 Motorway

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 07:00

A man has died following a police pursuit involving a motorcycle on the M56 near Manchester Airport. Greater Manchester Police are appealing for dashcam footage, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an independent investigation.

Man Dies Following Police Pursuit on M56 as Independent Investigation Launched

A man has died following a collision on the M56 motorway after a police pursuit involving a motorcycle, prompting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday 17 October 2026, after officers spotted a red motorcycle being ridden dangerously on the M60 near Stockport.

The force's Serious Collisions Investigation Unit is now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Police pursuit began on M60

Shortly before 7.30pm, officers on patrol observed a red motorcycle being ridden in what they described as a dangerous manner on the clockwise carriageway of the M60, near Stockport Pyramid.

Police said the motorcycle was posing a significant risk to other motorway users.

Officers began following the vehicle, and a pursuit continued from the M60 onto the M56.

During the pursuit, officers made what police described as low-speed tactical contact with the motorcycle on the hard shoulder near Junction 5.

The motorcycle was subsequently brought to a stop between Junctions 3 and 4 of the M56.

Motorcyclist fatally injured

According to Greater Manchester Police, the rider then left the motorcycle and ran across the motorway.

He was subsequently involved in a collision with another vehicle.

Emergency services, including the North West Ambulance Service, attended the scene and provided emergency medical treatment.

Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His identity has not been disclosed in the information released by police.

Man arrested following collision

Police confirmed that another man, who was involved in the collision but had not been involved in the initial pursuit, was arrested at the scene.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, and causing death by driving uninsured.

The allegations remain under investigation, and the arrest does not establish criminal guilt.

Independent police investigation launched

Following the death, Greater Manchester Police referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), in line with procedures following a fatality involving police contact.

The IOPC has determined that an independent investigation is required to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

This will include examining the events leading up to the collision and the police involvement.

Greater Manchester Police says it is awaiting the outcome of that investigation.

Appeal for dashcam footage

Officers from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit are appealing to motorists who may have witnessed the incident or captured relevant footage on their dashcams.

Police are particularly interested in information relating to the red motorcycle and the events surrounding the pursuit and subsequent collision on the M56.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Greater Manchester Police.

Source: Greater Manchester Police, published 18 October 2026.

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