Image source, PA Media

We're ending our live coverage of the aftermath of a car crash in Salford in the early hours of Friday.

Before we go, here's a recap of what happened today:

• The car crashed over a roundabout and landed on a key part of the rail network between Liverpool and Manchester at about 02:00 GMT
• Network Rail said the crash caused "significant damage" to the track and overhead cables
• The driver, a man in his 30s who suffered serious but not life threatening injuries, has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to hospital

• The incident led to severe disruption on trains between Manchester and Liverpool, with National Rail estimating that there will be no trains between the two cities until 22:00 GMT
• Some TransPennine Express, Northern and Transport for Wales services have also been impacted
• Fans travelling to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium for the FA Cup match have been warned to check ahead before they travel

If you'd like to check-in with our news story, we'll share any further updates there.

Image source, Action Images/Reuters

With the ongoing disruption to rail services, those heading to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium for the FA Cup match at 20:00 GMT have been warned to check ahead before travelling.

As we've reported, there will be no trains between Liverpool and Manchester before 22:00 GMT, National Rail estimates.

Network Rail - which owns, operates and repairs most of the UK’s railways - earlier apologised to passengers and urged those planning to travel between the two cities to keep checking for the latest information.

For rail passengers impacted by the disruption caused by a car crashing on to the tracks near Salford, broadly speaking Network Rail is giving out five key bits of advice:

• Check before you travel
• Alternative routes may be available
• Some ticket restrictions have been temporarily suspended, so some tickets can be used on other routes while the disruption is ongoing
• There are some rail replacement buses - but journey times will be longer
• You may be entitled to compensation

The specific advice gets quite detailed depending on the route - you can find all the info on the Network Rail website., external

Overnight, a car crashed over a roundabout in Salford and landed on a key part of the rail network between Liverpool and Manchester.

This happened at about 02:00 GMT, but has caused severe disruptions and delays to commuters in the area throughout the day.

Here's a look at how the day unfolded in pictures:

Image source, GMP

Image source, Network Rail

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Network Rail

We've been reporting on disruption to services caused by a car crashing on to the tracks near Salford, but that's not the only rail disruption impacting Manchester this evening.

Network Rail also says a fault with the signalling system in the Heald Green area means "all lines are blocked" and trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport may be cancelled or severely delayed.

Some TransPennine Express, Northern and Transport for Wales services are impacted and travellers are advised to check before they start their journey, external.

The "major disruption" is expected to last until 19:45 GMT, Network Rail says.

National Rail is still warning passengers travelling to and from Manchester to expect significant disruption after the crash that's forced the closure of the Chat Moss line.

Services from Liverpool are the worst affected, with journeys operated by Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales all facing delays and cancellations.

Efforts to repair the railway are continuing, with Network Rail estimating they should be complete by about 22:00 GMT, when services will begin return to normal.

Efforts to get the Chat Moss line reopened have seen workmen create new metal brackets from scratch to replace those damaged in the car crash.

A Network Rail spokesperson said they had been transferred directly to site “for installation within four hours to help us get the line reopened as soon as possible”.

Image source, Network Rail

We've been hearing a lot from Network Rail and National Rail today, who have been providing passengers with updates on the repairs being undertaken and how services are being affected by the line closure.

While you're probably used to seeing the names of these two bodies, not everyone will be familiar with the different roles they play.

Network Rail owns, operates and repairs most of the UK’s railways, and owns infrastructure like tracks, signals and overhead wires. It was set up in 2002 by the government.

National Rail is a brand set up by a group representing passenger train operators. It manages the sale of train tickets and promotes services across the UK.

The electric cables above trains can be damaged by high winds, power failures, extreme heat or, as in this case, being hit by another object.

Network Rail has a protocol for dealing with damage to these cables, which help power trains.

This includes turning off electricity to the area so engineers can begin repairs, and the use of specialist vehicles to help them work at height.

After the repairs are finished, tests are carried out to ensure the cables are safe. Then the power is switched back on.

With trains heavily disrupted by the crash, National Rail says those who had to abandon their journey due to cancellations should be able to get a refund at the point of purchase.

But a spokesperson for the network operator says those who bought tickets from a third-party seller may have to pay an admin fee.

For those joining us this afternoon, here’s a recap of what we know so far:

• A car crashed over a roundabout in Salford and landed on a key part of the rail network between Liverpool and Manchester at about 02:00 GMT
• The driver, a man in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to hospital
• Repair work is under way on overhead cables after the vehicle was hauled off the tracks, but Network Rail estimates trains will not be back in action before 22:00 GMT
• No trains can pass through Eccles station as a result, meaning services between Liverpool and Manchester have been cancelled
• Replacement transport is running, and rail passengers are advised to use their tickets on alternative routes where possible

Network Rail has shared another photo of the car that crashed on to the railway line in Salford in the early hours this morning.

A Network Rail spokesperson says: "Due to a vehicle on the track we have been unable to run services today between Liverpool and Manchester.

"The vehicle has now been removed and we can now repair damage to overhead lines."

Passengers are being reminded to check before they travel.

Image source, Network Rail

Phil Cunliffe
BBC North West Tonight

What appears to have happened is that a BMW has come off the M602 motorway and remarkably gone between two trees.

It's bounced and hit the side of a barrier and continued its journey to another concrete barrier, smashed through it and dropped on to the railway tracks below, about 20ft down.

It's straddled across those two tracks completely blocking it.

In the last hour or so, Network Rail have arranged for a road-railer to take away the car.

That's now been removed from the track. There is extensive damage to the overhead power cables and therefore there are currently no trains running along this route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Here's a reminder of the rail services affected as significant disruption is expected to continue on the Liverpool-Manchester line for most of the day.

National Rail says all lines will remain closed through Eccles until repairs are finished.

Passengers are being warned of disruption to the following services:

• Northern train services between Liverpool Lime Street / Wigan North Western and Manchester stations will be cancelled or run between Liverpool Lime Street and Earlestown only
• TransPennine Express train services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria will not run between these stations. Long distance services will be revised to start / terminate at Manchester Victoria
• Transport for Wales train services between Wales / Chester and Manchester stations will not run between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester

The BBC's Phil Cunliffe is on the scene for us, and in the video below he shows where the car appears to have left the road and how it then ended up on the railway tracks.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirms the person arrested earlier is a man in his 30s.

It says officers are still working at the scene of the crash.

Here's the full statement:

Have you experienced travel disruption because of the incident?

Share your stories, photos and videos. You can get in touch in the following ways:

• Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, external
• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Upload your pictures and video
• Tag us on X: @BBC_HaveYourSay, external
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Network Rail has shared this image of a road-railer hoisting the BMW from the tracks earlier.

As the name suggests, a road-railer can operate on tracks as well as roads.

The car is set to be taken away by a works train.

Image source, Network Rail

This was the scene a little earlier as the car involved in the crash was removed from the railway tracks.

There's still more to do to clear the debris and repair the damaged overhead cables.