A man died and two other people were taken to hospital after a collision involving three lorries and a car on the M6 in Staffordshire early on Monday. National Highways said the crash occurred on the northbound carriageway between junction 15, serving Stoke-on-Trent, and junction 16, serving Talke Pits, with emergency services attending the scene shortly afterwards.
According to a live traffic report, the collision happened at approximately 04:10 BST on Monday 17 August and involved three heavy goods vehicles and a car, striking on the stretch between the Hanchurch Interchange at junction 15 and the Barthomley Interchange at junction 16. National Highways described it as a "very serious collision" and warned that the resulting closure would be "protracted," with vehicles trapped in the queue being released only gradually.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the car driver was found in a critical state upon arrival.
"On arrival a man, the driver of the car, was found in a critical condition," a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.
"It quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
The southbound carriageway, which had also been shut following the crash, reopened later on Monday, though the northbound side remained closed for an extended period into the evening.
How badly were the other drivers hurt?
Paramedics reported that one of the HGV drivers was found in a serious condition and received specialist trauma care at the roadside before being transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital. A second lorry driver was treated for injuries described as potentially serious and taken to the same hospital.
"A fourth man, a HGV driver, was assessed, however sustained no injuries and was discharged at the scene," the ambulance service added.
National Highways cautioned that motorists approaching the area faced delays exceeding an hour, with tailbacks stretching roughly six miles.
Who responded to the crash?
Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and National Highways all attended the scene soon after the collision was reported, according to the same live traffic report. Screens were erected at the site, a measure typically used during major investigations and prolonged road closures, as noted by a regional news outlet.
Why does this stretch of the M6 matter so much?
The affected section forms part of a heavily used corridor connecting Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Crewe, Nantwich and Chester, meaning closures here tend to generate significant regional disruption, as highlighted in reporting on the incident.
What happens next?
National Highways confirmed that investigations into the crash were continuing, with traffic held in the closure being released slowly rather than all at once, according to a national wire report. The northbound carriageway was expected to stay shut into the afternoon, with disruption likely to persist until investigators had finished examining the scene, as reported by a separate regional report.
Key Facts
- The crash occurred at about 04:10 BST on Monday 17 August 2025, involving three HGVs and a car.
- It happened on the M6 northbound between junction 15 (Hanchurch Interchange) and junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange) near Stoke-on-Trent.
- One man, the car driver, died at the scene; two HGV drivers were hospitalised with serious and potentially serious injuries.
- A fourth HGV driver was assessed but not injured and was discharged at the scene.
- Delays of more than an hour and roughly six miles of congestion built up as the northbound closure remained in place into the evening.
