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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Three killed in motorway pile-up | Three killed in motorway pile-up |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Three people were killed and others injured when a lorry toppled over on top of a car 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 careered down the motorway embankment with the vehicle after the collision on the border of Greater Manchester and Lancashire. | 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 has now reopened after being closed for about eight hours following the crash. | |
| The three men killed were travelling in a Fiat Punto, Lancashire Police said. | The three men killed were travelling in a Fiat Punto, Lancashire Police said. |
| Police have not yet named the victims but it is thought they are aged in their 40s and 50s. | Police have not yet named the victims but it is thought they are aged in their 40s and 50s. |
| A Lancashire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Four men were travelling in the car, three of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. | A Lancashire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Four men were travelling in the car, three of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. |
| "The lorry driver and the fourth victim in the Punto are currently in hospital and are not thought to have been badly injured." | "The lorry driver and the fourth victim in the Punto are currently in hospital and are not thought to have been badly injured." |
| Several vehicles were damaged in the accident | |
| Another person suffered serious injuries in the collision and was taken the Royal Preston Hospital. | 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. | 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 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. | The lorry, which was carrying tonnes of animal feed pellets, overturned and shed its load, covering several cars and crushing the Punto. |
| Long tailbacks | 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." |
| Officers are at the hospitals talking to victims to try to piece together what happened. | |
| Diversions directed traffic off the motorway at junction 26 at Orrell, causing long tailbacks and delays. | Diversions directed traffic off the motorway at junction 26 at Orrell, causing long tailbacks and delays. |
| Motorists were advised to use the M61 instead of the M6 or to delay their journeys if possible. | Motorists were advised to use the M61 instead of the M6 or to delay their journeys if possible. |
| The carriageway reopened at about 1530 BST on Tuesday. |