Serious single‑vehicle crash closes Birkenhead tunnel for hours
A man in his 20s is fighting for his life in hospital after a collision involving an off‑road bike inside the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 1.05pm on 11 August after reports of a one‑vehicle crash on the Birkenhead‑to‑Liverpool carriageway. The incident occurred about two‑thirds of the way through the tunnel, and the rider — described by police as a man in his 20s from Liverpool — was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
Traffic disruption and response
Mersey Tunnels reported an immediate closure of the tunnel in both directions. The carriageway remained shut for several hours while the police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit carried out examination and evidence recovery.
- Tunnel closed shortly after 1pm on 11 August
- Traffic diverted via Wallasey Tunnel; trapped vehicles experienced lengthy delays
- Reopening followed police and investigative activity; traffic slow to clear afterwards
Traffic monitoring services and eyewitnesses reported significant delays in and around the city centre while the closure was in place. Merseytravel arrangements were put in place to ease travel disruption, including temporary ticket acceptance on alternative services.
Police appeal for witnesses and footage
Merseyside Police said officers are speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV to establish what happened in the lead‑up to the collision. They noted there were a number of vehicles travelling in the opposite direction that may have seen the bike as it approached the toll booth area on the Birkenhead side of the tunnel.
"The tunnel was closed for a number of hours to allow us to carry out vital investigation work. The rider of the bike remains in a critical condition in hospital and our thoughts are with his family," said Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, the lead investigator from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
Police have urged anyone who saw the bike entering the toll booth area, or who witnessed the collision, to come forward. Information can be passed to Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC, by calling the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0151 777 5747, or by emailing SCIU@merseyside.police.uk. Enquiries are being conducted under reference 26000654914.
What we know — timeline and facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Single‑vehicle crash involving an off‑road (Sur‑ron) bike |
| Location | Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel, approximately two thirds of the way through on the Birkenhead–Liverpool carriageway |
| Time emergency services called | Just before 1.05pm, 11 August 2026 |
| Casualties | Rider, man in his 20s from Liverpool, taken to hospital in critical condition |
| Police ref | 26000654914 |
The closure was necessary to allow investigators to carry out "vital" work, according to officers. Detective Sergeant Timpson thanked the public for their patience while collision investigators processed the scene.
This incident underlines ongoing road safety concerns for vehicles that use the Birkenhead Tunnel. Authorities will be reviewing CCTV and witness statements to build a clearer picture of the moments before the crash. Until the investigation is concluded, officers are asking anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage — or who saw the bike approaching the tolls — to get in touch.
We will continue to update readers as further information becomes available from Merseyside Police and Mersey Tunnels.
