Teenage Girl Falls from Back of Moving Ambulance on M6 Slip Road in Lancashire

A serious but fortunately non-fatal incident unfolded on a major motorway interchange in Lancashire when a teenage girl reportedly fell from the back of a moving ambulance on the slip road connecting the M6 southbound to the M55. The event occurred during the early evening rush hour on Tuesday, January 6, shortly after 5 pm, triggering an emergency response and significant traffic disruption.

While the circumstances surrounding how the teenager exited the ambulance remain under investigation, authorities have confirmed that she was taken to hospital and is not believed to have suffered serious injuries. The incident quickly drew attention due to its unusual nature and the location on one of the region’s busiest motorway junctions.

Emergency services, including Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), attended the scene, and part of the slip road was closed for nearly two hours to ensure public safety and allow initial inquiries to take place. The road reopened fully by around 7 pm, but not before causing substantial delays for motorists travelling between the M6 and M55.

Details of the Incident and Emergency Response

According to Lancashire Police, officers received a report at approximately 5.17 pm that a teenage girl had fallen from the rear of an ambulance while it was travelling along the southbound slip road from the M6 to the M55 near junction 32. The location is a key interchange for traffic heading towards Lancashire’s coastal areas, making the timing and positioning of the incident particularly disruptive.

North West Ambulance Service later confirmed that the ambulance involved was transporting a female patient when she exited the moving vehicle. The service stated that the incident occurred at around 5.16 pm, indicating that emergency services were alerted almost immediately. Ambulance crews and police officers attended the scene promptly, ensuring the teenager received medical attention without delay.

The girl was treated at the roadside before being transported to hospital for further assessment. Both Lancashire Police and NWAS emphasized that her injuries were suspected to be minor and that she was not believed to be seriously hurt. Officials also confirmed that no other individuals were injured as a result of the incident, despite the high-speed nature of motorway traffic in the area at the time.

As a precaution, the affected section of the slip road was closed while emergency services managed the scene. Police initially described the closure as being due to a “road traffic collision,” advising drivers to seek alternative routes because of the major disruption caused. Traffic congestion built up quickly, with delays reported on surrounding routes as vehicles were diverted away from the interchange.

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The road remained closed for close to two hours, reopening fully at approximately 7 pm once the scene had been cleared and it was deemed safe for traffic to resume. Authorities have not indicated that any arrests were made, and no further details have been released about the condition of the ambulance or the exact sequence of events that led to the teenager exiting the vehicle.

Official Statements and Initial Findings

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Lancashire Police confirmed the basic facts and sought to reassure the public about the teenager’s condition. “At 5.17 pm on Tuesday 6 January, we received a report that a teenage girl had fallen from the back of an ambulance on the M6 southbound to M55 slip road,” a police spokesperson said. “She has been taken to hospital but is thankfully not thought to have suffered any serious injuries. The motorway was closed for a short period and has now fully reopened.”

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North West Ambulance Service provided additional clarification, describing the individual as a patient who exited the ambulance while it was moving. “At 5.16 pm yesterday evening, a female patient exited a moving ambulance that was travelling on the slip road between the M6 and M55,” an NWAS spokesperson said. “The patient was treated on scene and taken to hospital with suspected minor injuries. Thankfully, no one else was injured. We are working with Lancashire Police and wish the patient a speedy recovery.”

The language used in both statements suggests that the teenager was already under medical care at the time of the incident, though neither organization has confirmed why she was being transported or what circumstances led to her leaving the ambulance. It is also unclear whether the rear doors of the vehicle were open or how she was able to exit while the ambulance was in motion.

Such incidents are extremely rare, given the strict safety protocols governing ambulance transport and the design of emergency vehicles, which are equipped with locking mechanisms intended to prevent accidental opening during transit. As a result, the case has prompted questions about whether mechanical issues, human error, or patient behaviour may have played a role. Authorities have confirmed that they are working together to establish the full circumstances of what happened. This process typically involves reviewing statements from ambulance staff, examining vehicle data, and considering any available CCTV or dashcam footage from the area.

Traffic Disruption and Wider Safety Considerations

The temporary closure of the slip road had a noticeable impact on traffic in and around junction 32, a critical link between the M6 and the M55. Motorists heading southbound on the M6 towards the Fylde Coast were forced to find alternative routes, leading to congestion on nearby roads during the early evening period. Police advised drivers at the time to avoid the area where possible and to expect delays.

Social media traffic updates and navigation apps also reflected increased journey times, with some drivers reporting extended delays as emergency services worked to manage the scene safely. While the road reopened by 7 pm, the incident has drawn attention to broader safety considerations related to patient transport in emergency vehicles. Ambulance services operate under challenging conditions, often responding to urgent medical situations while navigating busy roads.

Ensuring patient safety during transit is a critical aspect of emergency care, and incidents involving patients exiting moving vehicles are taken seriously. In most cases, patients are secured on stretchers or seats with safety restraints, and ambulance doors are designed to remain locked unless deliberately opened by crew members. When unusual incidents occur, they are typically reviewed internally by ambulance trusts as part of standard clinical governance and safety procedures.

At this stage, neither Lancashire Police nor North West Ambulance Service has indicated whether any procedural changes are being considered or whether the incident will lead to a formal review beyond the ongoing investigation. It is also not known whether the teenager will be interviewed as part of the inquiry once her medical condition allows.

For now, officials have focused on confirming that the girl’s injuries are not serious and that no other members of the public were harmed. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergency situations and the importance of rapid, coordinated responses by police, ambulance crews, and traffic management teams.

As investigations continue, further details may emerge about how the teenager came to fall from the ambulance and what measures, if any, may be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The motorway has since returned to normal operation, and authorities have not reported any ongoing risk to motorists using the junction.