ONE person was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and two trapped after a four-vehicle crash on the M6 in Cheshire.

The motorway has now reopened between junctions 17 for Sandbach and 16 for Crewe.

Three cars and a heavy goods vehicle were involved in a collision on the northbound carriageway at 5.30pm yesterday, Friday.

Police, firefighters, paramedics and National Highways were at the scene.

Sadly, a 19-year-old woman, a passenger on a Volkswagen Polo, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police have confirmed that despite the best efforts of all involved, she has since died.

The driver and another passenger in the Polo, two men in their 20s, remain in hospital with serious injuries.

One casualty was freed by paramedics after being checked over.

The second person was rescued by firefighters using specialist cutting equipment.

People in the other vehicles managed to get themselves out and were assessed by firefighters and paramedics.

The collision involved a heavy goods vehicle, a Volkswagen Polo, a Peugeot 107 and a BMW.

The driver of the HGV, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He remains in custody assisting police with their enquiries.

North West Motorway Police say traffic is now running freely on the approach to junction 16.

Crews were at the scene for two hours.

A rescue unit from Winsford with supporting fire engine, and three fire engines from Crewe, Alsager and Congleton attended the incident.