A DRIVER involved in a serious accident last night on the M62 between Rainhill and Burtonwood left the scene of the crash, North West Motorway Police said.

The force's Twitter feed stated that an initial collision involved multiple vehicles and resulted in one car going off the motorway at Rainhill and into a ditch.

It prompted a search for the missing driver.

A further serious collision followed nearby, complicating the investigation, the force responsible for policing the region's motorways said on Twitter.

The crashes happened following hail showers yesterday evening.

According to reports, at about 9pm fire crews were called to a four vehicle crash between junction 7 and 8 and one man was taken to Whiston Hospital.

Crews were later called to a second crash involving a HGV and a car. A woman passenger was cut free from the car and taken to hospital.