A CHILD has died after a crash on the M61 motorway.

The incident happened at about 10.30pm last night - close to Junction 9.

A Renault Clio was involved in a collision with a VW Sharan travelling in the same direction.

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A Volvo HGV also travelling southbound then collided with both vehicles.

A rear passenger in the VW Sharan, a girl aged 11, suffered serious injuries.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Sharan, a man in his 40s from Greater Manchester, also suffered serious injuries and is currently in a critical condition in hospital.

Three other passengers from the Sharan suffered less serious injuries.

The occupants of the other vehicles were unhurt.

A police investigation into the collision is on-going.

Sgt Dave Hurst, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “This was a horrendous collision in which a young girl has very sadly lost her life.

“I would appeal for any witnesses to contact us, especially anyone who may have any dashcam footage of the incident, or anyone driving in that area at around the time of the collision.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 1454 of January 23rd.