M6 shut for police hunting escaped prisoner as stuck motorists buy ice creams

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An escaped prisoner has caused police to shutdown the M6 and M56 motorways, leaving 14 miles of traffic.

Jonathan Simpson, 40, was last seen at HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton at 9am today ( March 23), it has been confirmed.

The motorways have been closed for several hours following the ongoing search.

It has been reported that drivers have been purchasing ice creams while stuck in the hefty queues.

In footage circulating online, people can be seen visiting the stationary ice cream truck in the middle of the motorway.

Traffic stopped moving in both directions on the M6 at junction 20 (Lymm) at around 6.30pm in response to a "police incident".

The incident caused queues to tail back for miles to junction 19 and onto the M56.

Cheshire Police have since confirmed the motorways were closed to help track down the missing inmate.

Searches are still taking place as the criminal remains at large.

Simpson is described as white, 5’ 11” tall with black shaved hair, green eyes and a beard.

Police said he was last seen wearing a dark navy under armour tracksuit and has ‘Krystal’ tattooed on his upper right arm.

It has been reported that he is known to have links within the West Yorkshire area.

Inspector Neil Anson said: “We currently have numerous officers and police dogs visible in ongoing searches for Simpson.

"While numerous enquiries are ongoing we’re urging anyone who sees Simpson to not approach him but to instead call Cheshire Constabulary immediately on 999 quoting IML 1228955."

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