A man was killed when he was hit by a lorry on amotorway in Merseyside.
The M53 in Wirral was closed in both directions, causing severe traffic logjams, after police rushed to the scene just before 11am.
Some drivers tried to jump the queues by driving on the hard shoulder or to avoid the chaos altogether by doing U-turns on slip roads on to the motorway.
Merseyside Policehad been called to reports of a collision involving an HGV on the Liverpool-bound carriageway at junction 4, close to the slip road for Clatterbridge.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident, identify the male and inform the next of kin.
“The motorway has been closed between junctions 5 and 4 to allow for investigative work to be carried out, and motorists are being asked to avoid the area and find alternative routes.”
The force warned that drivers using the hard shoulder or performing U-turns would be prosecuted.
It said both carriageways would be closed until at least mid-afternoon, asking drivers to avoid area.
“Just a gentle reminder to road users who decide to use the hard shoulder to beat the queues on the M53 or decide to travel wrong direction on slip roads. Your details will be taken and [you] will receive a court letter through the post,” North West Motorway Police tweeted.
Wirral NHS Hospitals warned the gridlock was causing severe delays in both directions between Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital.
