PC pelted with stones as group of youths play ‘chicken’ on M60
A POLICE officer was pelted with stones by a group of youths playing ‘chicken’ on the M60.
The group were spotted on the anticlockwise carriage way of the motorway near Stockport at around 2.15pm on Sunday.
Police were told the youths were running in front oncoming vehicles - known more commonly as ‘playing chicken - between junction 2, Cheadle, and junction 1, Stockport West & Centre. They were also seen playing on an empty stretch of the motorway closed for repairs on the other side.
A police motorcyclist who arrived first on the scene was pelted with stones by the group, who then ran off towards the Aurora Business Park and Swythamley Road area of Cheadle Heath.
A fire was then found beneath the motorway next to the River Mersey.
Greater Manchester Police has slammed the group’s ‘sheer stupidity’.
A police statement posted on Facebook said: “At the time of the incident, road conditions on the motorway were very wet and visibility was affected due to rain and surface spray.
“It is incredibly fortunate for the youths involved that they made it across the carriageway unharmed and without causing oncoming motorists to adversely react to their presence.
“It shouldn’t need to be pointed out that the consequences of this sheer stupidity could have been fatal, and crimes have been recorded.”
The incident took place between Junction 2 (Cheadle) and Junction 1 (Stockport West & Centre).
Police said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire beneath the motorway.
Officers are appealing for motorists with dash-cams travelling on the M60 network between J2-J1 around this time to review their footage and contact Stockport.Central@gmp. police.uk with any information or images they may have to assist with our enquiries, quoting crime ref CRI/06JJ/0005033/21.