A 47-year-old police officer has died following a single-vehicle crash on the M6 near Carlisle, Cumbria Constabulary says.
The officer was the only occupant of the vehicle, the force said.
He worked for Cumbria Constabulary's Mobile Support Group and specialist officers were supporting his family, police added.
The crash occurred around 2pm today on the M6 southbound carriageway between junction 44 and 43.
A witness told LBC News they had seen a vehicle on fire at the scene.
Reports suggested the police car veer off the road and into a ditch running alongside the highway.
The road was closed in both directions for some hours.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area.
