Father and children in 140mph 'wrong way' motorway crash

A father and his two young children survived a crash at an impact speed of almost 140mph after colliding with a car being driven on the wrong side of the motorway, British police said today.

A nine-year-old boy is tonight seriously ill in hospital and his 43-year-old father broke both legs and both arms in the crash, but his daughter, aged 11 suffered only minor injuries.

The driver of the car being driven the wrong way on the motorway, a 45-year-old man from Bolton, died at the scene last night.

Drivers swerved out of the way as the Renault Megane travelled south on the northbound carriageway of the M6 in Lancashire, at times travelling in the fast lane.

Police said it was travelling at or about the speed limit when it collided with a Vauxhall Vectra, also travelling at about 70mph, carrying a father, who has not been named, and his son and daughter.

The son suffered head and chest injuries and was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital. He was later transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and is said to be in a serious condition.

The driver’s daughter was treated with her father at Wigan Royal Infirmary.

The family were only miles from their Wigan home when the accident happened.

The Megane was first seen by members of the public at junction 29 near Bamber Bridge.

The car travelled south about fifteen miles through junctions 28 and 27 before the smash.

Both cars were reduced to wrecks in the collision, which took place at about 8.30pm.

The northbound carriageway was closed for six hours after the accident while police investigators collected evidence, and re-opened at 3.40am this morning.

Inspector Yates of Greater Manchester Police said: “He was seen travelling the wrong way down the fast lane.”

“He was travelling at some speed close to the speed limit before the collision.”

He said he would expect the motorway to be fairly busy at that time of day.