POLICE accident investigators were today still probing the cause of a horrific motorway smash in which a man died and a prison officer from Prestwich suffered terrible injuries.

The 45-year-old female officer, Debbie French, of Hope Park Road, was driving the Group 4 Security van at the time of the smash on Monday (Dec 18).

Mother-of-four Ms French suffered serious head and body injuries in the accident, which claimed the life of colleague Kevin Aspinall (37), of Aspull in Wigan.

She was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where her condition is described as comfortable after being in a critical condition earlier this week.

The accident happened shortly after 9am as the van, which was ferrying a prisoner from Preston to the Court of Appeal in London, smashed into a bridge stanchion on the M6 at Shevington. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

The 35-year-old prisoner, who was in the rear of the vehicle, suffered serious head injuries.

A police spokesman said: "The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing and the independent vehicle inspectorate is also to examine the van."

The injured woman's mother, Mrs Sylvia Netich of Prestwich, said: "Denise has been working for Group 4 for just over one year and before that she worked at North Manchester General Hospital."

She said her daughter faced a long haul towards recovery, adding: "But she's in very good hands. I'm travelling back and forth to Preston and she's in the best place." Mrs Netich paid tribute to staff at Strangeways, Longsight police station and Group 4 colleagues who had sent cards and flowers to Ms French.

A spokesman for Group 4 said: "All of Group 4 wish Debbie and the prisoner a speedy and full recovery."

Commenting on the accident, he added: "All of our vehicles have a strict maintenance and service programme in accordance with manufacturer's recommended maintenance."