Two men are being hunted by police after a fatal crash on the M61.

The motorway was closed for eight hours on Saturday (26 January) into Sunday (27 January) morning following a four-car crash.

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A 12-year-old girl was left dead after the Nissan Micra she was a passenger in collided with a motorhome.

The teenage girl’s family have now paid tribute.

The Micra, driven by a 27-year-old woman from Lancaster, had gone off the carriageway, hit the central reservation and then hit a Fiat Ducato motorhome around 8pm.

A foreign registered Audi A4 then hit the rear of the motorhome and a Ford Fiesta hit the central barrier just beyond Junction 9 of the M61, heading towards the M6 junction at Bamber Bridge.

Emergency services worked to save the 12-year-old girl from Lancaster who was unconscious in the car according to eyewitnesses.

She was taken to Royal Preston Hospital but died from her injuries.

The Nissan driver suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt in the crash.

The Audi driver and passenger fled the scene and Lancashire Police have launched a manhunt.

They are described as Eastern European males, in their 30s and around 6′.

One of the men is bald and was wearing a navy bomber jacket.

The other had a black beanie hat on and all black clothing and was carrying a black holdall.

Sergeant Marc Glass, of Lancashire Police, said: “An investigation is underway following a fatal collision on the M61.

“A young girl has died and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

“A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to support the girl’s family.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the occupants of the Audi and has not yet spoken with police to come forward.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 1279 of January 26th. Information can be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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