Wrong-way driver killed in crash

A man has died after driving the wrong way on the northbound M6 and crashing into another car seriously injuring two children and their father.

The driver of the Renault Megane died when he hit a Vauxhall Vectra between junctions 26 and 27 - Orrell and Standish - on Saturday evening.

A nine-year-old boy suffered head injuries and is critically ill at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

His sister, 11, and their father, 43, were taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary.

Doctors said they were in a serious condition, with the father having suffered breaks to both arms and both legs.

'High speed impact'

The family are from the Wigan area while the dead man is from Bolton.

The carriageway was shut for six hours while accident investigators were at the scene.

Police said they had first received reports of the car being seen travelling the wrong way at junction 29, Bamber Bridge.

Insp John Williams, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "A police car was on the other carriageway trying to indicate to the driver to pull over and stop when he collided with a car travelling in the correct way on the motorway.

"The impact speed would have been quite high with one car travelling near the speed limit and the innocent car travelling at pretty much the speed limit as well."

Witnesses are urged to contact Greater Manchester Police.