Merseyside Police have named the van driver as Vadim Suflet. One of the vehicles caught fire, and the fire and a large fuel spill have damaged the road surface.
A 41-year-old man has died after a collision between a van and a lorry on the M6 northbound, between junctions 23 and 24, on Sunday night. Merseyside Police named him as Vadim Suflet, who was driving the van. Emergency crews were called to the stretch between Newton-le-Willows and Ashton-in-Makerfield at about 9.55pm, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. One of the vehicles caught fire. The northbound carriageway remained closed on Monday evening for emergency resurfacing.
The investigation
Police said Mr Suflet’s family is being supported by specialist officers. The lorry driver stayed at the scene and is helping with the investigation. No arrests or charges have been reported. Police have not said which vehicle caught fire, whether speed, a mechanical fault, alcohol or drugs were involved, or whether anyone else was hurt. It would be premature to blame either driver, and the lorry driver has not been named.
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of Merseyside Police’s Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said, according to the research notes, that investigators believe several vehicles were close to the crash. Officers want dashcam footage from drivers travelling in either direction on the M6. Anyone with information or footage can contact the unit on 0151 777 5747, quoting reference 26000857221.
Road closure and diversions
National Highways said the collision happened shortly before 10pm on Sunday 18 October. It said: “The collision, involving a van and a lorry, resulted in one of the vehicles catching fire. This resulted in significant damage to the road surface from the fire and also a large fuel spillage.”
Police investigation work continued through the night under a full closure in both directions. The southbound carriageway reopened at about 7.30am on Monday. The northbound carriageway stayed shut, and the agency expected the closure to last throughout Monday and “into the night”. It said lanes one, two and three of four need full resurfacing, and lane four must stay closed for safety until the work is done. There is no estimated reopening time.
Northbound drivers are being told to follow the signed hollow-diamond diversion, leaving the M6 at junction 23, taking the A580 west and then the A58 east to rejoin at junction 24. National Highways has warned of delays of about 60 minutes. Motorists have been urged to allow extra time and to check its website before setting off.
