An urgent appeal for witnesses and information has been reissued as it was confirmed that a 38-year-old woman has died after a horror crash on the M66 near Bury.
The Serious Collision Unit at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is urging members of the public to come forward with any information or footage that may be able to assist with ongoing investigations after officers were called to reports of a serious collision between two vehicles travelling southbound on the M66 in Bury on this past Saturday (13 May) at around 3:10pm.
Shortly after officers and emergency services arrived at the scene, a 38-year-old woman – who has been named as Frankie Hough, and was pregnant at the time of the incident – was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Her children, Tommy, 9, and Rocky, 2, were also hospitalised after the crash, along with her four-year-old nephew Tobias – two of whom have serious injuries, and one with minor injuries.
Frankie sadly died in hospital yesterday (15 May) as a result of her injuries, GMP confirmed last night.
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Her family and loved ones are currently being supported by specialist officers and support services at this incredibly difficult time.
A 22-year-old man, Adil Iqbal of Hope Street in Accrington, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and yesterday was charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
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He appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon, and was further remanded into custody to appear at court a later date.
The M66 near Bury / Credit: Peter McDermott (via Geograph)
GMP has thanked members of the public who have already made contact with them, but with investigations still ongoing, the force has reissued its appeal for witnesses, dash cam footage, and information as a matter of urgency.
Information can be shared by calling GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 2254 of 13/05/2023, or via GMP’s website using the ‘report’.
You can also call the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GoFundMe
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Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Featured Image – Israel Andrade (via Unsplash)
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Delays on M60 continue after man dies falling from bridge near Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A man has tragically died after falling from a bridge on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police closed the motorway in both directions at around 10am this morning as they responded to the concern for welfare.
The man was on Barton Bridge on the M60, but tragically fell and passed away at the scene.
The motorway was shut anti-clockwise between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, and on the clockwise carriageway between junction 9 and 11, with a huge diversion in place.
Although the motorway has reopened as the afternoon has worn on, disruption is ‘likely’ to continue for several hours yet.
National Highways is reporting up to two miles of congestion on the M60 around Barton Bridge.
In a statement released earlier today, a GMP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March).
“The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
GMP later added: “Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60. The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene.
“The road remains closed while enquiries continue. Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th May 2023 
