M66 accident today: 19-year-old dies after police pursuit near M60/M66 junction in Greater Manchester. Investigation and IOPC review underway.
A tragic M66 accident today near the M60/M66 Simister Island junction in Greater Manchester has left a 19-year-old man dead after a police pursuit. Reports confirm the teen was struck by a vehicle after fleeing onto the motorway following a chase involving a blue BMW X3. Emergency services responded quickly, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has triggered a full investigation.
M66 Accident Today: What Happened
The fatal crash occurred on Sunday night, November 17, 2025, at around 21:40 GMT near the Simister Island junction linking the M60 and M66.
According to Greater Manchester Police, officers initially spotted a blue BMW X3 being driven at high speed on Bury Old Road. The vehicle reportedly went through a red light before officers began a pursuit.
The chase ended when the BMW was found abandoned after a crash involving another vehicle. The occupants then fled on foot onto the motorway network.
It was during this chaotic sequence that a 19-year-old man was struck by a Tesla travelling on the motorway.
What We Know So Far
- Incident happened near M60/M66 Simister Island junction
- Police pursued a blue BMW X3 for speeding and traffic violations
- The vehicle later crashed and was abandoned
- Occupants fled onto the motorway on foot
- A 19-year-old man was hit by a passing Tesla
- He was pronounced dead at the scene
- No arrests have been made so far
- Investigation is ongoing by Greater Manchester Police
Authorities have also confirmed that the incident has been referred to internal professional standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
This leads into the sequence of events that unfolded that night.
Timeline of Events
- ~21:40 GMT: Police spot speeding BMW X3 on Bury Old Road
- Shortly after: Vehicle runs a red light and is pursued
- Later: BMW crashes near Simister Island junction
- Immediately after crash: Occupants flee onto motorway on foot
- Moments later: 19-year-old is struck by a Tesla
- Overnight: M66 and M60 partially closed due to incident
- Morning: Roads reopen after investigation and recovery work
The timeline highlights how quickly the situation escalated from a traffic stop to a fatal motorway collision.