Two children among injured in six-vehicle M6 crash

BBC A view of a section of the M6 taken from a bridge showing the accident scene, with emergency vehicles on the hard shoulderBBC
The southbound carriageway was closed with diversions in place

Eight people including two young children have been taken to hospital after a crash involving six vehicles on the M6 in Lancashire, the ambulance service has said.

It happened at about 10:30 BST between junctions 33 and 32 at Forton Services near Lancaster, with the southbound carriageway expected to be closed for "several hours", police said.

Five people suffered serious injuries, including one of the children, who was taken to Manchester Children's Hospital.

One lane of the northbound carriageway was closed while emergency barrier repairs were carried out, with long delays expected.

Dee Murray, operations manager for National Highways England told BBC Radio Lancashire: "There is a fair amount of barrier damage and quite a possibility there is going to be some resurfacing needed."

There are currently delays of two hours moving south and 25 minutes north.

Police are warning drivers the stretch of motorway will be closed for "some time" as emergency services remain at the scene.

The roundabout on the A6 Lancaster Road heading on to the M6 at Junction 33 is also closed.

There may be tailbacks heading into the Preston area, and up towards Cumbria, police added.

You can find diversion details from National Highways here.

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