Police in Staffordshire have closed the M6 motorway in both directions following a serious crash in which several people have died.
The crash happened on the northbound carriageway just before junction 15, the turn-off to the A500, a Staffordshire police spokesman said. One vehicle was involved and "lives have been lost", he said, giving no further details.
The motorway was closed between junctions 14 and 15 and would be likely to remain so for three to four hours, police said. No more information would be given while police contacted next of kin of those involved.
The incident is being handled by the Central Motorways Police Group which deals with motorways in Staffordshire, West Mercia and the West Midlands.
The Highways Agency confirmed the closure, saying traffic was being moved off the motorway between the two junctions and diverted between the junctions via the A34 and A500.
Very sad news on Christmas Day thoughts go to their families
The crash happened on the northbound carriageway just before junction 15, the turn-off to the A500, a Staffordshire police spokesman said. One vehicle was involved and "lives have been lost", he said, giving no further details.
The motorway was closed between junctions 14 and 15 and would be likely to remain so for three to four hours, police said. No more information would be given while police contacted next of kin of those involved.
The incident is being handled by the Central Motorways Police Group which deals with motorways in Staffordshire, West Mercia and the West Midlands.
The Highways Agency confirmed the closure, saying traffic was being moved off the motorway between the two junctions and diverted between the junctions via the A34 and A500.
Very sad news on Christmas Day thoughts go to their families