Mancunian Way tragedy as Man in his 20s dies in early morning crash with Volkswagen

A man has died after being hit by a car on the Mancunian Way in the early hours of this morning, prompting a full road closure and major travel disruption.

A pedestrian has died following a collision with a Volkswagen Passat on the A57(M) Mancunian Way in Manchester city centre.

Emergency services were called at around 12.50am on Friday 31 October 2025, after reports that a man had been struck while crossing the carriageway near a slip road merge.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the victim, believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, a man in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

The Mancunian Way was immediately closed in both directions between Chester Road and Medlock Street. GMP urged commuters to avoid the area during the Friday morning rush hour, warning of long delays across nearby routes including Princess Road, Trinity Way and Regent Road.

By 7.30am, the Bee Network confirmed that part of the road had reopened between Ashton Old Road and Princess Road, but a closure remained in place westbound between Princess Road and Chester Road. The force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit continues to examine the scene, with a forensic tent in place.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage from the area around the time of the incident. Information can be submitted to GMP directly via their LiveChat or report tool at www.gmp.police.uk, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In a public statement, a GMP spokesperson said:

“Merging from the slip road onto Mancunian Way, the driver of a Volkswagen Passat has collided with a pedestrian who was believed to have been crossing the carriageway at the time. The pedestrian, a man in his 20s, unfortunately suffered significant injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”

Rush hour traffic remained severely affected across Manchester city centre throughout the morning, with delays of up to 15 minutes on the M602 and surrounding roads.

The road has now partially reopened, but further updates are expected throughout the day as investigations continue.