Footballer, 24, arrested after two children die in motorway crash

A 24-year-old professional footballer was arrested today after a motorway crash in which two children died.

Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick is being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Two boys, aged eight and 10, were fatally injured in the collision on the M6 in north Staffordshire.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the two-car collision on the southbound carriageway near Keele Services at junction 16 shortly before 5.45am.

Four ambulances, a rapid-response vehicle and an emergency doctor attended the scene of the crash, which closed the motorway between junctions 16 and 15. Motorists were warned to avoid the area.

McCormick was arrested at the scene of the collision where he was named by ambulance workers.

Luke McCormick  is a former England youth international and was
twice voted the club's young player of the season.

The two fatally injured boys had been travelling in a silver Toyota Previa people carrier with two men and two other children when it was in collision with a black Range Rover, the force said.

The Toyota left the carriageway and went down a small embankment, hitting a number trees.

Police confirmed that the man arrested was the driver of the Range Rover and he was not hurt in the crash.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'On arrival, crews found two cars which had been involved in a collision. One of the cars had left the carriageway.

'One child was confirmed dead at the scene.

'A second was taken on blue lights to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Staff at the hospital had been put on alert awaiting the arrival of the child, who later died.

'A number of other people have also been taken to hospital.'

The Toyota driver, a 37-year-old man, was seriously injured and was in a critical condition today at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The other man in the Toyota and two accompanying children - whose ages are unknown - were taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.

A man is in a critical condition in hospital.

Plymouth Argyle said in a statement: 'The club is aware of an incident involving one of our players that occurred on Saturday morning on the M6.

'As the incident is subject to police enquiries, the club feels it would be inappropriate to make any comment at this stage.'

Witnesses were asked to call the Central Motorways Police Group on 0121 626 1831.