A driver has died after an Audi crashed into the central reservation on the M56 and burst into flames. Firefighters rushed to the scene near Manchester Airport, but found the Silver Audi A8 was 'well alight'.
Sadly the driver of the vehicle died of their injuries. The horror smash took place at about 6.45am on Friday.
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The M56 was closed for around 10 hours as a police investigation took place. The crash took place on the eastbound carriageway of the between junction 7 and junction 6.
The victim's family has been informed and are being supported by officers. Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
In a statement earlier Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Emergency services are at the scene of a road traffic collision on the M56 east between junctions 6 and 7. Firefighters in breathing apparatus are tackling a vehicle on fire using two hose reel jets.
"Police and highways are managing traffic while the fire is being dealt with."
Diversions were put in place while the motorway closed, with congestion building up in Altrincham and Hale as a result.
In a statement National Highways spokesperson said: "Drivers in Cheshire and Greater Manchester are being advised the eastbound M56 between junction 7 at Bowdon and junction 6 at Hale Barns has now re-opened following this morning's serious incident. The incident happened shortly before 7am involving a single vehicle and the eastbound carriageway was closed for a police incident investigation, repairs and vehicle recovery. The carriageway re-opened at 5.10pm
"Traffic arriving at junction 7 was diverted to junction 6 via the A56 while a motorway diversion for routes towards Manchester city centre and airport was put in place using the northbound M6 and eastbound M62. Staff at the North West Regional Operations Centre (NWROC) near Warrington and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) at Birmingham set electronic signs across the motorway network throughout the day to warn drivers of the carriageway closure."
Anyone with any information or dashcam footage in relation to the incident is asked to report it to Cheshire Constabulary via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 1289338, or call 101.
