Five people are believed to have died in a crash on the M6 in Cheshire.
Five people are believed to have died in a crash on the M6 in Cheshire.
Two adults and two children have been confirmed dead after their car caught fire in a collision with another car and three lorries on Monday night.
Two adults and two children have been confirmed dead after their car caught fire in a collision with another car and three lorries on Monday night.
Emergency crews found what they believe to be the body of another child in the car but are awaiting confirmation.
Emergency crews found what they believe to be the body of another child in the car but are awaiting confirmation.
A 46-year-old foreign lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in the crash near Sandbach, police said.
A 46-year-old foreign lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in the crash near Sandbach, police said.
The man is believed to be either Spanish or Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter.
The man is believed to be either Spanish or Portuguese and will be questioned through an interpreter. The scene is still being worked on as we speak Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire Police
'Extensive fire damage'
A police spokeswoman said emergency services had recovered what they believed to be a fifth body - that of a child - but she added that this information was provisional as "conditions at the scene are difficult and it is dark".
A police spokeswoman said emergency services had recovered what they believed to be a fifth body - that of a child - but she added that this information was provisional as "conditions at the scene are difficult and it is dark".
She said the casualties had all been in the same car. The scene is still being worked on as we speak Supt Jed Manley, Cheshire Police
She said the casualties had all been in the same car.The car "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", the spokeswoman added.
The car "suffered extensive fire damage when it ignited upon impact", the spokeswoman 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.
"It does appear that there are two adults and at least two children, but the scene is still being worked on as we speak."
"It does appear that there are two adults and at least two children, but the scene is still being worked on as we speak."
Police said the crash, at 2240 BST, appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, died.
Police said the crash, at 2240 BST, appeared to have happened in heavy, slow traffic caused by an earlier accident in which a motorist from Cheshire, driving a white van, died.
The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.The road is expected to remain closed during the morning rush hour
The earlier crash happened at 2100 BST between Junction 17 at Sandbach and Junction 18 for Holmes Chapel.The road is expected to remain closed during the morning rush-hour
'Avoid area'
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.
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.
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 for 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.
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