Five people have died on the M6 in Staffordshire after a crash involving a lorry and a Nissan Micra.
The motorway remains closed after the collision which happened between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford in the early hours of Wednesday.
Staffordshire Police said the affected southbound carriageway, between junction 15 and junction 14, would be closed for a long time.
One person has been left critically injured after the collision happened at about 4.30am.
A detailed police investigation is now under way to piece together the circumstances of the crash.
Highways England said the motorway is expected to remain shut until at least this afternoon.
Delays stretched back to junction 16 and motorists are being urged to find an alternative route.
The ambulance service said the car's driver and four passengers had been killed after a “significant collision” involving an HGV.
One other occupant in the car, a man in his 40s, suffered multiple serious injuries and has been taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
In a statement, West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “When emergency services arrived they discovered a car with six occupants inside which had been involved in a significant collision with a HGV.
“Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the driver and four passengers.
“All five were confirmed dead on scene.”
The male driver of the lorry, 60, was uninjured but has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Police have appealed for any witnesses to get in touch by ringing 101.
Copyright Press Association
