A MOTORIST is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a serious crash on the M6 this morning, Friday.

The accident, involving a HGV, a white van and a Silver Mercedes car, happened on the M6 southbound between junction 20 for Lymm and 19 for Knutsford.

Police say the motorist in hospital, a man in his 50s, was driving the Mercedes.

The southbound carriageway of the M6 remains closed between both junctions while accident investigation work takes place and a fuel leak is cleared up.

Congestion currently stretches back five miles to junction J21a for Croft, with queues also reported northbound as drivers slow down to look.

Travel time is estimated to be more than an hour. Trapped traffic is being turned around.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Emergency services were called to between junction 20 to junction 19 on the M6 southbound at 4.16am on Friday 13 August following reports of a collision involving a HGV, a white panel van and a silver Mercedes.

“The driver of the Mercedes, a man in his 50s, is believed to have sustained serious and life-threatening injuries.

“He has been taken to hospital.”

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area, but those seeking to travel southbound should head eastbound on the M56 then southbound on the A556.

Traffic is also heavy on the M56 from junction 10 for Stretton, while delays can also be seen through Winwick, Rixton and Mere as traffic seeks alternative routes.

A spokesman for North West Motorway Police said earlier: “A full closure will be in place for some time. Fuel and debris is across all three lanes.

“Those trapped in the traffic, please bear with us. We will get to you. The slip roads on the M56 to the M6 will be closed.

“Fuel is leaking from one of the vehicles, therefore the full closure will remain in place.”