A driver has been arrested in connection with a crash on the M61 which left another driver seriously injured.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the crash which saw a 27-year-old man from Blackpool arrested after a Mercedes C220 collided with the rear of a VW Passat.

The motorway, just south of Junction 9, was closed for around five hours after the crash which saw the Passat sent off the motorway and into a tree.

Its driver, a 38-year-old man from Hull, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where he remains in a serious condition. Firefighters had to cut him free from the car.

Three passengers in the Passat, a man and two women also from Hull, suffered minor injuries during the crash which took place around 12noon on Sunday (14 April).

Police arrested the 27-year-old man from Blackpool on suspicion of drug driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and having no insurance. He has been released under investigation.

Sergeant Martin Wilcock, of Tac Ops, said: “This collision has left a man with some very serious injuries and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision itself, or the Mercedes in the moments beforehand, to get in touch.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has any dash cam footage to contact us.”

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Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0439 of Sunday, April 14th.

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