POLICE have confirmed that a 51-year-old man has died and several others have been injured following a road traffic collision on the M53 motorway this morning.

Emergency services were called to junction three of the south-bound carriageway near Woodchurch at 10.30am following reports that a heavy goods vehicle had been in collision with several other vehicles.

On arrival patrols closed the southbound carriageway of the motorway to allow the other emergency services access to treat anyone who was trapped or injured.

The 51-year-old driver of the Citroen car was pronounced dead at the scene and a woman in her 40s who was sat in the front passenger seat was removed and taken to hospital with injuries to her back.

Her condition is described as serious. Their next of kin have been informed.

Four other people sufferd slight injuries and one man suffered a serious chest injury. He is currently undergoing surgery at Aintree hospital in Liverpool.

A total of nine vehicles were involved in the collision, including the HGV and Citroen.

The driver of the HGV involved in the collision – a 60-year-old man from Chester – was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He remains in custody at this time awaiting questioning by collision investigators.

Patrols from Merseyside Police and assisted by colleagues from Cheshire Police, set up a contra-flow system to move traffic off the south-bound carriageway however due to large traffic volumes and the seriousness of the incident, many motorists were caught in the congestion.

Inspector Keith Kellet from Merseyside Police's roads policing department this afternoon thanked them for their patience during a difficult situation.

He said: "I would like to thank everyone who got delayed on the M53 this morning during what was an extremely serious incident.

"A man has lost his life in tragic circumstances and several others have been seriously injured.

"We acted quickly to close the southbound carriageway so as to prevent further collisions and injuries and also to allow the fire service and ambulance service to tend to the casualties.

"Inevitably this had an impact on a large number of people using the M53 this morning and will do so for a large number of people who normally use the M53 to get home in the afternoon.

"A large number of officers are working hard to get the motorway re-opened as quickly as possible but important collision investigation work still needs to be done.

"A man has died and another motorist has been arrested so it is imperative that all enquiries are carried out before the scene can be released.

"I would advise motorists who use this part of the M53 between junctions 3 and 4 southbound to seek an alternative route home tonight and plan well ahead as other routes may be busier than normal.

"Keep listening to local radio bulletins or follow Merseyside Police and the Highways Agency on Twitter for further updates."