Coach Fire Disrupts M61, Evacuates 30 Schoolchildren

A school coach carrying over 30 children and their teachers caught fire on the M60 slip road at Swinton Interchange in Greater Manchester, prompting a significant emergency response. All passengers and the driver were safely evacuated, which authorities described as a situation they dread. The fire, which occurred on Wednesday evening, led to the closure of the northbound M61 between Junctions 1 and 2 for several hours as six fire engines worked to extinguish the blaze. Traffic was brought to a standstill while emergency services managed the incident, with the motorway reopening in the early hours of Thursday. Photos reveal the extensive damage to the coach, highlighting the severity of the situation. Greater Manchester Police praised the swift response from all agencies involved in the rescue efforts.