Police have confirmed two people from separate vehicles have been killed following a motorway pile-up near Frodsham.

Initial reports suggested there had been a collision between two HGVs, a car and a bus with no passengers, but police later confirmed it was an empty coach, not a bus, that was involved.

Fire crews attended and cut two people out of two of the vehicles, who were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed the two people who died were a man and woman from two different vehicles.

The ambulance service confirmed two other people suffered minor injuries in the crash and were taken by ambulance to Warrington General hospital as a precaution to be checked over.

No more details are currently available about the deceased who were involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the Manchester-bound carriageway near junction 12 around midday today, Thursday, October 9.

A police spokesman said: “Sadly, police can now confirm that the collision resulted in two fatalities. There is no further information in relation the deceased at this time and more information will become available in due course.”

The air ambulance attended earlier but left the scene with no casualties on board.

The motorway is now open westbound following an initial full closure and police are hoping to open one carriageway eastbound. Scene examination and vehicle removal is underway.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two engines from Chester and one from Runcorn. North West Ambulance Service sent its Hazard Area Response Team (HART), two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, senior managers and an advanced paramedic.

The crash caused widespread traffic chaos throughout the afternoon and evening as motorists were warned to avoid the M56 leading to huge queues on roads throughout the Chester area and at both the Wallasey and Birkenhead tunnels.

At one stage the tailbacks heading into Liverpool reached as far back as junction 3 on the M53.

The Highways Agency says there is a signed diversion in operation and traffic is advised to exit the M56 E/B at J14 and follow the Solid Diamond symbol via the A5117 S/B, A56 S/B and A557 N/B to rejoin the M56 at J12. Height restrictions are in place on this route because of a low bridge.

Motorists are advised the incident is ongoing and there is significant congestion affecting the M56, Runcorn expressways and the A56 into Frodsham. Police are advising motorists to seek alternative routes.