Urgent appeal after fatal motorway crash

At about 4-35pm yesterday, an 80-year-old man driving a Daewoo Musso estate in silver left the northbound carriageway and collided with a tree.

The man, who is yet to be formally identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed he may have swerved to avoid the car in front.

Witnesses describe the car as a black or dark coloured 59 plate Vauxhall Astra.

PC Steve Beech, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We believe the driver of the Daewoo Musso may have swerved to avoid the car in front after the driver applied the brakes and we are eager to speak to this person.

“Clearly he or she will be a critical witness in relation to this incident and I would urge them or anyone who knows them to contact us.

“You may or may not have seen the collision in your rear view mirror but if you were you driving a black or dark coloured 59 plate Astra just after junction two of the northbound M66 at about 4-30pm yesterday please call us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.