Couple suffer life-threatening injuries in M18 crash as man arrested on drug driving offences

A couple have suffered life-threatening injuries after a three-vehicle crash which closed a South Yorkshire motorway for more than six hours.

A HGV driver involved in the collision has also been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury from dangerous driving.

At 5.35pm on Wednesday (29 July) police were called to reports of a three-vehicle collision between junctions 4 and 3.

It is reported that all three vehicles were travelling in the same direction when the collision occurred on the approach to Junction 3.

A 68-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, who were travelling in the red MG car, suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital where their condition is being described as life-threatening.

A 56-year-old man travelling in the grey Ford suffered minor injuries. The affected stretch of the M18 was closed for a significant amount of time and reopened around 1am on 30 July.

An investigation is underway and the driver of the HGV, a 46-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury from dangerous driving.

He has since been released on police bail as enquiries continue.

A police spokesman said: “We believe there were several witnesses to the collision and we’re now appealing for anyone who hasn’t been in touch with police to contact us online or by calling 101.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has relevant dashcam footage.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 827 of 29 July 2026.