Drivers were seen queuing for ice cream in the middle of the M56 as the motorway was closed for over two hours.
All traffic was stopped on the M56 in both directions as police searched for a man on the run from prison on the M6 at Junction 20 (Lymm) at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 23'. Traffic on the M56 was already struggling after a crash between four vehicles and a motorbike at around 4.30pm.
An air ambulance was scrambled to the scene and took a patient to Aintree University Hospital. The condition of the person in hospital is not known.
READ MORE: M6 and M56 closed for two hours as police search for prisoner on the run
When traffic was stopped a short time later, due to a search for missing prisoner Jonathan Simpson, people were seen queuing for ice cream from a van in the middle of the motorway. Pictures and videos were posted on social media of people queuing for icy treats and snacks.
One video which was shared to Twitter showed a man taking his ice cream with caramel sauce from the van. As he left he is heard saying "cheers pal, nice one" before walking back to his car.
In another video posted on social media the person filming can be heard saying: "No word of a lie, an ice cream van is serving ice cream, on the M56."
He adds: "I best go and get myself a '99." The clip is taken from the hard shoulder of the carriageway, and shows three lanes of congestion, with the ice cream van in the middle lane. At the end of the of the clip, the person who shared the video is seen holding a vanilla ice cream topped with hundreds and thousands and sauce.
Jonathan Simpson, 40, was last seen at HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton at 9am on Wednesday, March 23. Officers are currently carrying out a number of enquiries in a bid to trace the 40-year-old and they are urging anyone with information as to his whereabouts to get in touch.
Simpson is described as white, 5’ 11” tall with black shaved hair, green eyes and a beard. He was last seen wearing a dark navy under armour tracksuit and has ‘Krystal’ tattooed on his upper right arm.
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.
“Officers will be maintaining a presence around the prison and in the local area to provide reassurance to the community. If you have any concerns please do speak to one of them.”
The M6 reopened to all traffic at around 8.30pm.
Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
