A multi-vehicle crash shut the M6 between Junction 17 for Sandbach and Junction 16 for Stoke-on-Trent. The crash happened on the southbound carriageway this morning, April 1, but resulted in both routes being closed. Firefighters and paramedics, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene. The northbound route reopened first and traffic officers have now begun releasing traffic from the southbound side. The extent of any injuries is not yet known, but the crash was labelled "serious" by National Highways. Traffic officers appealed to drivers not to leave their vehicles and pleaded with motorists not to attempt to illegally drive the wrong way to get off the motorway unless instructed to do so. READ MORE: Two people suffer breathing difficulties after chemical leak at Oldbury swimming pool National Highways: North-West tweeted saying: "We understand the frustration of being caught in a closure of a motorway. However please do not attempt to exit the motorway by illegally driving the wrong way unless instructed to do so by police/traffic officers. "Police officers are releasing traffic from the closed motorway via Sandbach Services. We apologise but this is is a very slow process due to the large amount of vehicles of various types and sizes to manoeuvre. "If you are caught in the closure do not leave your vehicle unattended. Doing so delays and causes difficulties in the turning around of vehicles. "Officers continue to turn vehicles to exit via Sandbach Services." READ NEXT: For the latest stories on crime and from the courts, sign up to our newsletter here Judges 'urged' to avoid sending criminals to jail as prisons are full - claim Two people suffer breathing difficulties after chemical leak at Oldbury swimming pool
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