A 25-YEAR-OLD man is in a critical condition after being trapped in a car during a motorway smash.

There was a collision on the M6 northbound between junction 18 near Middlewich and junction 19 near Knutsford at about 5am on Sunday.

A black Seat Leon collided with the rear of a white DAF lorry.

The driver of the Seat, a 25-year-old man from Thornton-Cleveleys, was taken to North Staffordshire Hospital with serious injuries.

Fire crews from Knutsford, Holmes Chapel, Winsford and Sandbach were helped to free him from the vehicle.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Lanes one and two of the motorway were closed while firefighters carried out a difficult extrication.

“The casualty was released from the vehicle and handed into the care of the ambulance service.”

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone who saw the collision should contact the Cheshire Police motorway unit on 101 quoting incident number 285 of July 15.