Motorists are facing long delays after a "very serious collision" involving three lorries and a car has closed a major motorway.
Both carriageways of the M6 between junctions 15 and 16 in North Staffordshire have been shut, with emergency services at the scene following the crash at around 4.10am.
National Highways warns of 'serious collision'
National Highways is warning that the northbound stretch could stay closed into the afternoon. Meanwhile, the southbound carriageway has been shut to help emergency services access the scene of the smash.
A statement from National Highways reads: "The M6 in Staffordshire is closed in both directions between J15 Hanchurch Interchange (Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme A500) and J16 Barthomley Interchange (Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Nantwich, Chester A500)."
Emergency services at the scene
"This is due to a serious collision which occurred at approximately 04:10 on the morning of Monday 17th August involving 3 heavy goods vehicles and a car on the northbound carriageway."
"Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue and National Highways units attended the incident promptly and confirmed this is a very serious collision and the closure will be protracted."
The M6 in Staffordshire remains closed in both directions between J15 and J16, causing major delays for motorists.
