A man from Chester has been arrested following a fatal road traffic collision on the M53 in Wirral this morning (September 30).
The 60-year-old HGV driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving at the scene of the multi-vehicle crash, which occurred at junction 3 of the south-bound carriageway near Woodchurch.
Emergency services were called at 10.30am following reports that a heavy goods vehicle had been in collision with several other vehicles.
A man aged in his 40s in a Citroen car was pronounced dead at the scene and a woman in her 40s who was sat in the front passenger seat was removed and taken to hospital with injuries to her back. Her condition is described as serious.
Four other people suffered slight injuries. One man suffered a serious chest injury and is currently undergoing surgery at Aintree Hospital.
A total of nine vehicles were involved in the collision, including the HGV and Citroen.
The HGV driver remains in police custody at this time awaiting questioning by collision investigators.
Insp Keith Kellet from Merseyside Police's roads policing department said: "I would like to thank everyone who got delayed on the M53 this morning during what was an extremely serious incident.
"A man has lost his life in tragic circumstances and several others have been seriously injured. We acted quickly to close the southbound carriageway so as to prevent further collisions and injuries and also to allow the fire service and ambulance service to tend to the casualties.
"Inevitably this had an impact on a large number of people using the M53 this morning and will do so for a large number of people who normally use the M53 to get home in the afternoon.
"A large number of officers are working hard to get the motorway re-opened as quickly as possible but important collision investigation work still needs to be done. A man has died and another motorist has been arrested so it is imperative that all enquiries are carried out before the scene can be released.
"I would advise motorists who use this part of the M53 between junctions 3 and 4 southbound to seek an alternative route home tonight and plan well ahead as other routes may be busier than normal.
"Keep listening to local radio bulletins or follow Merseyside Police and the Highways Agency on Twitter for further updates.”
