A LORRY driver has been arrested after a man was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital following a crash on the motorway.

The M56 was closed yesterday evening after a collision on the westbound carriageway near to junction 10 at Stretton.

Cheshire Police say a tanker, a HGV and a Ford Transit van were involved in the incident at around 5.45pm.

A 38-year-old man from Clock Face, the van driver, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Aintree Hospital by an air ambulance.

He was cut from his vehicle by firefighters, and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, the driver of the tanker – a 39-year-old man from Bury – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The suspect was also taken to hospital as a precaution but was later discharged.

He remains in custody this morning, Tuesday, and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

A force spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and video following a serious collision on the M56 in Cheshire.

“At around 5.45pm on Monday, April 11, police were called to reports of a collision on the M56 westbound near to junction 10.

“Officers attended the scene and found the incident involved a tanker, a HGV and a white Ford Transit van.

“The driver of the van, a 38-year-old man from Clock Face, Merseyside, sustained serious injuries.

“He was released from his vehicle by firefighters before being taken to Aintree Hospital by air ambulance. He is currently in a stable condition.

“The driver of the tanker, a 39-year-old man from Bury, was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

“He has since been released from hospital and arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The man remains in police custody at this time, where he is assisting officers with their enquires.

“The driver of the HGV, a 54-year-old man from Belper, Derbyshire, was uninjured.”

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service dispatched five engines to the scene, as well as its major rescue unit.

A fire service spokesman added: "Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on the M56 involving two heavy goods vehicles and one van.

"The crews removed one person who was trapped in one of the vehicles and handed them to the care of paramedics."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the constabulary on 101, quoting incident number IML1243277, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.