Man held after crash kills children

Emergency services were called to a two-car collision on the M6 southbound at junction 16 in north Staffordshire shortly before 5.45am.

Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and a BASICS doctor attended the scene of the crash, near Keele Services.

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."

West Midlands Police said the deceased were young boys but their ages are unknown. A man is in a critical condition in hospital, the force said.

The suspect was arrested at the scene of collision, which closed the motorway between junctions 16 and 15. Motorists were warned to avoid the area.

Staffordshire Police confirmed that the children who died were aged eight and 10-years-old.

They 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.