Twelve people hurt in M6 pile-up near Rugby

A woman and a young girl have serious injuries

Twelve people have been injured, two seriously, in a seven-vehicle pile-up on the M6 in Warwickshire.

The crash happened on the southbound carriageway near Rugby at about 1730 BST between junction 1 (Rugby) and the Catthorpe interchange, police said.

The two with serious injuries are a girl, aged six, and her aunt, who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.

The southbound carriageway was closed and a lorry driver arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The pile-up involved two vans, a lorry and four cars.

The six-year-old girl suffered head injuries, while her aunt, who was initially unconscious, sustained potentially serious chest injuries.

The girl was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and her aunt was flown to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

Easter getaway

The girl's brother, who is about two years old, was taken to hospital by road for treatment for facial injuries, police said.

The children's mother, 36, went with him. She received treatment for a bruised arm.

All four were travelling southbound in a blue Audi estate car when the crash happened.

A 37-year-old male van driver from Norfolk was taken to University Hospital Coventry suffering from a lower back injury.

Seven other people were taken to Kettering General Hospital with minor injuries.

The Catthorpe interchange is where the M6, M1 and the A14 meet.

An ambulance service spokesman said crews found several vehicles which had been involved in a series of collisions.

Six ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and two air ambulances attended the scene, as well as police and three fire engines.

Drivers hitting the motorway for the Easter getaway faced estimated delays of up to 90 minutes and a five-mile tailback.

Diversions were put in place but the traffic near the scene was heavy, the Highways Agency said.