Two children and three others killed after horror crash on M6

Four of the five individuals in the Toyota were pronounced dead at the scene, with the third child being taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by air ambulance with serious injuries.

The driver of the Skoda, who was from Cambridgeshire, also died at the scene, Cumbria Constabulary confirmed.

The families of those involved are being supported by specially trained officers.

A stretch of the M6 northbound between J36 and J39 was shut on Tuesday afternoon, opening again in the early hours of this morning, around 12 hours after the crash occurred.

Officers are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to get in contact.

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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 (Oct 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.

“Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 146 of 15 October 2024. You can also phone on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

An eyewitness described the huge emergency presence on the motorway, saying they saw “lots of black smoke”.

Writing on social media, they said: “Something serious happening on M6 northbound, just passed Tebay services. Loads of blue lights going up the hard shoulder, can see lots of black smoke and looks like the air ambulance has just come in as well. I really do hope everyone's ok.”