DOZENS of motorists could be prosecuted after being caught filming the scene of a serious crash on the M6.

The motorway is currently remains closed southbound this afternoon, Friday, after the crash shortly after 4am between junction 20 at Lymm and junction 19 at Knutsford.

Two lorries, a van and a car were involved in the accident, with the driver of the latter vehicle – a 56-year-old man from Staffordshire – having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries according to Cheshire Police.

But the North West Motorway Police Group says that a total of 76 motorists on the northbound carriageway used their mobile phones to video or take pictures of the incident while behind the wheel.

And they will be issued with notices of intended prosecution.

A spokesman said: “When at the scene with other emergency services at the road traffic collision this morning on the M6 southbound, we recorded 76 drivers on the M6 northbound on their mobile phones videoing or photographing the scene whilst driving.

“Notices of intended prosecution are in the post.”

It is anticipated that the route will remain closed for several hours yet due to the carriageway needing to be resurfaced.

The van driver and one of the lorry drivers suffered minor injuries during the collision.

Queues are still tailing back to junction 21a at Croft with delays also reported on the M56.

Diversions are in place via the M56 and the A556, with traffic re-joining the M6 at junction 19.

Cheshire Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A force spokesman said at around 2pm: "Officers are appealing for information following a serious collision on the M6 southbound.

"At 4.16am on Friday, August 13, a report was received of a collision on the M6 southbound between junction 20 and junction 19 involving two HGVs, a Ford Transit van and a silver Mercedes.

"The driver of the Mercedes, a 56-year-old man from Newcastle-under-Lyme, sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

"The driver of the Ford Transit, a 58-year-old man from Bolton, and the driver of one of the HGVs, a 52-year-old woman from Redditch, both sustained minor injuries.

"Officers are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage of the vehicles leading up to or during the incident to get in touch."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML1060103 , or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.