Woman dies and two hurt on M-way

A woman was killed and two Highways Agency officers were seriously injured in a motorway accident in Cheshire.

A lorry collided with two vehicles parked on the hard shoulder of the M56 eastbound carriageway near junction seven at Bowdon on Monday evening.

An Audi TT car had broken down and a Highways Agency traffic control vehicle had pulled up behind as protection.

Police said the dead woman, the driver of the Audi, was aged 35 and from Altrincham in Greater Manchester.

The two Highways Agency officers who were injured are both men, one aged 25 and the other is believed to be in his 40s.

The younger man was said to be in a critical condition and the older man in a serious condition in hospital.

An investigation into the accident is under way and police are appealing for witnesses.