Two die in crash which shut M6 near Corley services

[dutchman]

A man and a woman died in a burning car after a crash that shut part of the M6.



Their vehicle hit a barrier on the motorway near Corley service station in Warwickshire at about 01:50 GMT.

The southbound carriageway was closed between junction 4a for the M42, and junction three at Coventry until the morning rush hour.

Paramedics said the man and woman were found inside the vehicle, which had caught fire. They were confirmed dead at the scene.

Warwickshire Police said officers believed they had identified the driver. Inquiries are continuing to identify the female passenger, the spokesman said.

Insp Lucy Sewell said: "Following our initial inquiries we believe we have identified one of the occupants of the car and we are in the process of informing their family.

"While we are awaiting formal identification, at this stage we believe the driver to be a man from the Coventry area. We are currently carrying out inquiries to identify the passenger."

Motorists had been advised to avoid the area. Highways England said delays remained but should begin to ease.

Meanwhile, five people - including two children - suffered minor injuries when a car and van collided with both catching fire on the M40 motorway near Warwick services.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were all discharged at the scene following the collision between junctions 13 and 12 shortly after 07:30.

"Thankfully, the occupants of all vehicles had managed to get themselves out, otherwise it could have been a very different outcome," the spokesman said.