One motorist was taken to hospital with minor injuries after a collision involving three or four vehicles on the M56 this afternoon.
Two lanes are shut after the incident between junction 14 at Hapsford and 12 at Runcorn .
A North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said there were 'multiple' casualties, although only one patient was taken to hospital, with minor injuries, and the others were described as walking wounded.
She said the service was called to an incident involving four vehicles at about 2.53pm.
Ambulances were called to the scene to treat the injured.
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A Cheshire police spokeswoman said there appeared to be three vehicles involved.
Highways England said there are delays of one hour with normal traffic expected to resume by about 4.30-4.45pm.
Traffic is standing still on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 15 at Stoak Interchange and 14 at Hapsford, and intermittently standing still and moving slowly towards junction 12 at Clifton, Runcorn, according to Highways England's map.
The flow is also moving slowly in the opposite direction.
North West Motorway Police tweeted at 3.04pm that its patrols were en route to the scene of the collision.
It followed up at 3.24pm to say lanes two and three will remain shut until the vehicles involved are moved.
A traffic camera on Highways England's website showed what appeared to be two ambulances at the scene.
Drivers are advised to leave plenty of time for their journeys.
