This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6562599.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Three killed in motorway pile-up Three killed in motorway pile-up
(about 1 hour later)
Three people have been killed and four others hurt in a collision on the M6. Three people were killed and others injured when a lorry toppled over on top of a car on the M6.
Several cars and a lorry careered down the motorway embankment on the border of Greater Manchester and Lancashire in the early hours. Several cars careered down the motorway embankment with the vehicle after the collision on the border of Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
The northbound carriageway between junctions 27 at Standish and 28 at Leyland are shut after the crash near Charnock Richard services. The northbound carriageway between junctions 27 at Standish and 28 has now reopened after being closed for about eight hours after the crash.
Officers said the carriageway will be shut for several hours and diversionary routes are in place. The three men killed were travelling in a Fiat Punto, Lancashire Police said.
Police said four other people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police have not yet named the victims but it is thought they are aged in their 40s and 50s.
Those killed in the crash have not yet been identified. A Lancashire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Four men were travelling in the car, three of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
The lorry, which was carrying tonnes of animal feed pellets, overturned and shed its load, covering several cars and crushing one. "The lorry driver and the fourth victim in the Punto are currently in hospital and are not thought to have been badly injured."
Long delays The accident closed the motorway northbound for a number of hours
Another person suffered serious injuries in the collision and was taken the Royal Preston Hospital.
A further three people were given medical treatment by ambulance crews at the scene.
The accident happened at about 0650 BST in the build-up to rush hour on the motorway.
The lorry, which was carrying tonnes of animal feed pellets, overturned and shed its load, covering several cars and crushing the Punto.
A Ford Galaxy vehicle also suffered minor damage in the accident.
Long tailbacks
Dr Vic Calland, who was called out to the accident, said: "It was a very difficult situation. The main problem was scene safety - it was down a steep embankment.Dr Vic Calland, who was called out to the accident, said: "It was a very difficult situation. The main problem was scene safety - it was down a steep embankment.
"The fire service had secured the lorry with a couple of hand winch cables stretching right across the motorway to the central reservation.""The fire service had secured the lorry with a couple of hand winch cables stretching right across the motorway to the central reservation."
One of the vehicles damaged in the accident on the M6
Officers are at the hospitals talking to victims to try and piece together what happened.Officers are at the hospitals talking to victims to try and piece together what happened.
Diversions are directing traffic off the motorway at junction 26 at Orrell. This is causing long tailbacks and delays. Diversions directed traffic off the motorway at junction 26 at Orrell, causing long tailbacks and delays.
Emergency services are working to clear the scene and police remain confident the carriageway will be reopened before rush hour this evening. Motorists were advised to use the M61 instead of the M6 or to delay their journeys if possible.
Motorists are advised to use the M61 instead of the M6 or to delay their journeys if possible. The carriageway was reopened at about 1530 BST on Tuesday.