The van being driven by the boy’s dad is said to have left the road and struck a tree.

A teenage boy has been killed in a horror motorway crash, after a van being driven by his dad hit a tree after leaving the road.

The M6 was closed for several hours after the smash between junctions 34 and 33 on Sunday, April 20. Emergency services raced to the scene after receiving calls at around 12.15pm.

The 14-year-old sustained serious injuries, and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. His dad was also badly injured, and remains in hospital.

Police are now appealing for any information following the incident, the Mirror reports.

Sergeant Martin Wilcock, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit from Lancashire Constabulary, said: “This collision has very sadly resulted in the death of a young man and left another man with serious injuries and my thoughts are with their loved ones.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened, and who hasn’t yet spoken with police, or anyone with dashcam or mobile footage, to get in touch.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw the van in the moments before the collision.”

“Anyone who can help should call 101 quoting log 0503 of April 20th. You can also email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk.”

No other vehicles are known to have been involved in the tragedy, which left the road shut off for several hours. It has since completely reopened.

A spokesman for the force added: “We are appealing for witnesses after a collision on the M6 motorway left one person dead and another seriously injured.

“Emergency services were called at just after 12.15pm today (Sunday, April 20 ^th ) after a Peugeot van left the carriageway between junctions 34 and 33 southbound near to university hill and crashed into a tree. No other vehicles were involved.

“A 14-year-old passenger in the van suffered serious injuries and was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“The van driver, a man in his 30s and father of the passenger, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this time.”