A MAN has died following a three-vehicle crash on the M60.

Emergency services were called to the incident on the clockwise carriageway near Junction 16 at Clifton Interchange shortly before 10.30pm last night.

A man, aged 60, died at the scene. He has been named locally as father-of-two Peter Lee, from Radcliffe.

A 20-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were taken to hospital with serious injuries, one of whom suffered head injuries.

A 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital but she has since been discharged.

Two passengers had to be cut out of the vehicles after the collision which involved a white Ford Transit, a silver Toyota Avensis people carrier and a black BMW 1 series.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in custody for questioning.

Greater Manchester Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them.

Police Const Neil Pennington, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly lost his life and two other people have suffered serious injuries, and my thoughts are with their families at this difficult time.

"Our enquiries into the exact circumstances of this collision remain ongoing and I would urge anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with police.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of the incident as this could be vital to our investigation.”

The motorway was shut for more than five hours between Junctions 15 and 17. The M61 south and A580/East Lancashire Road were also closed to avoid more traffic joining the motorway.

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) sent three Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) vehicles to the scene, two advance paramedics, three ambulances and an operational commander.

A spokeswoman for the NWAS said: "There were a number of patients involved. Six people were wounded and we assessed them on the scene.

"Two patients were taken to hospital, one of whom suffered head injuries.

"We were in attendance for at least two hours."

North West Motorway Police, who attended the incident, were urging drivers to avoid the area.

Highways England tweeted: "The M60 J16 - J17 clockwise is being CLOSED due to serious accident, link roads from the #A580 (East Lancs Road) and M61 south being closed to close off access to M60 clockwise. If you're travelling towards this area consider alternative routes. We'll update as soon as we can."

At about 11.30pm, patrols and traffic officers began turning vehicles around to remove traffic from the motorway at the previous junction.

Fire crews from Farnworth and Whitefield were also called to the scene.  A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called shortly before 10.30pm on Tuesday to a collision on the M60 clockwise at Junction 16.

"Fire engines attended from Whitefield, Agecroft, Broughton and Farnworth. We also sent a tactical response unit from Leigh.

"We assisted the North West Ambulance Service with the patients."

The M60 was reopened at about 5am this morning.

Highways England tweeted: "M60 J15 - J17 clockwise update, the overnight accident road closure is now removed ... Thanks @NWmwaypolice .. If you're travelling towards this area there are no delays."

Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting reference number 2229 of December 4, 2018.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.