Last updated at 16:02, Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Two lorry drivers who died in an eight-vehicle pile-up on the M6 motorway in Cumbria have been named.

Michael Proctor

They were killed in the smash that happened at 8.15am yesterday on the M6 northbound carriageway just after Burton services between junctions 35 and 36.

All of the vehicles involved in the collision were travelling north in lane one, say police, who believe there was a 'large shunt' while some were stationary in traffic. A full investigation is underway.

Two drivers died at the scene.

Alan Walmsley, 62, of Mardale Road, Longridge, Preston, was driving a SPAR lorry and Michael Raymond Proctor, 22, of Salisbury Street, Southport, was driving a blue flatbed lorry.

Mr Proctor's family this afternoon paid tribute to him.

A spokesman said: “Mike was a loving, caring son and brother and was devoted to his baby son, Tyler.

“All Mike ever wanted to be was a wagon driver like his dad. There is now a space in our lives that can never be filled.

“Mike leaves behind his parents, Tony and Debbie, sister Jenny and son Tyler.”

The other vehicles involved in the incident were:

• A yellow heavy goods vehicle, driven by a 26-year-old man from the Preston area, who was not hurt
• A Peugeot 307 car driven by a woman, aged 42 from Lancaster, who suffered whiplash injuries. She remains in Preston Royal Hospital this morning.
• A red Volvo HGV, driven by a 57-year-old man from the Chorley area, who suffered no injuries.
• A Mercedes flatbed, driven by a 29-year-old man from the Lancaster area, who was not hurt
• A silver Renault Trafic van, driven by a 62-year-old man from the Swinton area, who was uninjured.
• A silver Volkswagen Golf car, which suffered damage from debris. Its driver, a man from Wigan, was not hurt.

About 30 police officers were sent to the scene and at one point, there were up to 25 emergency service vehicles in attendance.

The M6 north was closed from junction 35-36 from 8.15am until 6.40pm while casualties were taken to hospital, the scene cleared and the road was made safe.

Anyone with information about the collision should call PC Andy Docker in the roads policing unit on 101.

First published at 10:35, Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk