Greater Manchester Police Airport Pursuit

By Isla Hartley · Sports Reporter · May 6, 2026

A police pursuit culminated in a serious crash close to Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport on May 5, 2026, causing significant disruption for early morning travelers.

The upper forecourt drop-off zone at Terminal 2 was closed for three hours after the incident, which involved a stolen Audi A3. The chaos began when officers pursued the vehicle, driven by Mark Burrows, who was reportedly moving to overtake a line of vehicles at around 80mph.

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police stated, “Following a police pursuit, a road traffic collision occurred close to Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.” The impact of the crash left Burrows hospitalized with serious injuries.

Travelers faced delays and confusion as they arrived at one of the UK’s busiest airports. A representative from Manchester Airport informed the public: “Please be aware: due to a road traffic collision, the upper forecourt of Terminal 2 is closed until further notice.”

The airport handled over 32 million passengers last year, ranking it as the UK’s third-busiest airport. As flights continued to arrive and depart, the closure created a ripple effect that affected numerous travelers.

Burrows is now facing grave accusations related to his driving. He is accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of Heather Smedley during this high-speed chase. In his own words, he reflected on the moment: “I believed she’d seen me… yielding to me and allowing me to pass.” Yet he added, “I wouldn’t. Up until the last second, I believed I had compliance from all the vehicles I was overtaking.”

This incident has sparked conversations about police pursuits and their implications on public safety. As investigations continue, additional information regarding the pursuit and the collision has yet to be released.

Isla Hartley

Sports Reporter

Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”