M6 crash tragedy: Transport Secretary statement on collision which killed five people

The Transport Secretary has issued a statement on the M6 horror smash which killed five people - including two children

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has issued a statement on the M6 horror crash in Cumbria which killed five people, including two children. The motorway was closed overnight on Tuesday following the crash.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to reports of a two-car collision on the northbound carriageway near Tebay Services shortly after 4pm. Cumbria Police confirmed that the incident involved a Skoda and a Toyota

The driver of the Skoda, a man from Cambridgeshire, was pronounced dead at the scene. A man, a woman and two children from the Toyota, from Glasgow, also died at the scene. Police say a third child in the Toyota was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious injuries.

Government minister Louise Haigh MP said: "I am deeply saddened to hear about the collision on the M6 in Cumbria yesterday. My thoughts are with all those involved and their families and I want to thank the emergency services who attended the scene."

In a statement, Cumbria Police said: "Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision on the M6 Northbound past Tebay Services. Officers were called to the incident at 4:04pm yesterday (October 15). The collision involved two vehicles a Skoda and a Toyota. The driver of the Skoda, a man from Cambridgeshire was pronounced deceased at the scene."

"The driver, a man, a woman and two children of the Toyota from Glasgow were also pronounced deceased at the scene. A third child in the Toyota was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious injuries. The families of those involved are being supported by specially trained officers. The M6 Northbound full reopened in the early hours of this morning."

The M6 reopened in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Police have issued an appeal for anyone who witnessed the incident or with information to get in contact.