M6 closure LIVE: Motorway shut after vehicle overturns and goes into water in serious crash

A stretch of the M6 near Greater Manchester is shut this morning following after a car left the motorway and partially landed in water. The serious crash in Cheshire was reported at around 12:40am in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, March 29i). Police, paramedics and fire crews all attended the scene on the southbound carriageway between 19, for Knutsford, and junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were responding to a 'a road traffic collision where a car has left the M6 south carriageway and come to rest on the edge of a brook with the rear of the vehicle partially in the water.' Around 45 minutes later they said one casualty had been rescued and handed over to the care of paramedics. Their condition is not yet known.

Cheshire Police have been contacted for further information. A fire service technician was deployed into the water to help rescue the casualty and stabilise the car, which was then winched to a fire engine. The southbound carriageway remains closed between junctions 19 and 18 this morning with diversions in place.

National Highways said: "Recovery has started but is expected to be protracted.

Barrier repairs are also required at scene once recovery is completed. "

This is a breaking news story and we will be bringing you updates as we get them in the live blog below