A PENSIONER has died after a crash which closed the M6 in Warrington at lunchtime today, Wednesday.

The collision between a blue Ford Focus C-Max and a black Ford Transit van happened around 1.15pm close to junction 21 in Woolston.
 
Police say the driver of the C-Max, an 82-year-old man from Ellesmere Port, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers.

The driver of the van was uninjured and no arrests have been made.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with any dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 127479. 

To submit dashcam footage to police go online at cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage . 

An air ambulance landed in a field near to the Juniper Farm pub in Woolston.

The motorway remained closed for some time while investigation work was carried out, but all lanes were reopened shortly after 4pm.

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The M6 was shut from junction 21a at Croft, with no access to the M6 southbound from the M62.

Trapped traffic was released via the hard shoulder.

Diversions were in place via the M62, M56 and M60, with heavy traffic reported on Winwick Road and Manchester Road due to motorists seeking alternative routes through Warrington.

It came less than two hours after a driver was arrested following an accident on the M6 in the same direction between junctions 19 and 18.

Gridlock has also been reported in the area around the Warburton Toll Bridge throughout the afternoon following the two incidents.

Another crash involving two vehicles was reported on the northbound carriageway of the M6 shortly before 3.30pm, between junctions 20 and 19.

Watch reader Julie Adamson's footage of the air ambulance leaving the scene above.