Five people have died after their car caught fire in a collision with three lorries and another car on a motorway.
Five people have died after their car caught fire in a collision with three lorries and another car on a motorway.
Two adults and three other people, all believed to be children, died in Monday night's crash on the M6 in Cheshire.
Two adults and three other people, all believed to be children, died in Monday night's crash on the M6 in Cheshire.
It happened between Junction 16 at Barthomley and Junction 17 for Sandbach at about 2240 BST.
It happened between Junction 16 at Barthomley and Junction 17 for Sandbach at about 2240 BST.
A 46-year-old foreign lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, a Merseyside Police spokeswoman said.
A 46-year-old foreign lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, a Merseyside Police spokeswoman said.
The man is believed to be either Spanish or Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter. At this stage... it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire Police
The man is believed to be either Spanish or Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter. At this stage... it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire Police
A police spokeswoman said the casualties had all been in the same car.
A police spokeswoman said the casualties had all been in the same car.
The vehicle "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", she added.
The vehicle "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", she added.
Superintendent Jed Manley, from Cheshire police, told the BBC: "At this stage, because of the condition of the vehicle, it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies inside."
Superintendent Jed Manley, from Cheshire police, told the BBC: "At this stage, because of the condition of the vehicle, it is extremely difficult to identify the bodies inside."
He said the scene was "still being worked on".
He said the scene was "still being worked on".
Police said the crash appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, had died.The crash followed an earlier one in which a man died
Police said the crash appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, had died.The crash followed an earlier one in which a man died
The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.
The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.
The northbound section of the M6 between junctions 16, at Stoke-on-Trent, and 17, for Sandbach, remains closed following the second crash.
The northbound section of the M6 between junctions 16, at Stoke-on-Trent, and 17, for Sandbach, remains closed following the second crash.
Motorist Colin McWilliam, from Manchester, told the BBC that traffic was at a standstill for two-and-a-half hours after that crash before police turned vehicles around and escorted them back along the motorway.
One motorist, Aidan O'Rourke, from Manchester, told the BBC he waited nearly three hours being allowed to pass the incident.
"Passing the accident scene I saw several lorries had been damaged, the cab of one was completely smashed."
Colin McWilliam, also from Manchester, said traffic was at a standstill after that crash before police turned vehicles around and escorted them back along the motorway.
Police said motorists were "strongly advised" to either delay their journey or consider an alternative route.
Police said motorists were "strongly advised" to either delay their journey or consider an alternative route.
The road is likely to stay closed during the morning rush-hour to allow for the carriageway to be resurfaced.
The road is likely to stay closed during the morning rush-hour to allow the carriageway to be resurfaced.
Were you on the M6 between Stoke and Sandbach at the time of the accident? Has your journey been affected by the crash? What were your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
Were you on the M6 between Stoke and Sandbach at the time of the accident? Has your journey been affected by the crash? What were your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
