This shocking image shows the aftermath of a crash which caused tailbacks and delays on the M6.

On Monday morning, emergency services were called to the M6 southbound between junctions 26 and 25, close to Wigan, after the driver of a white van crashed into the rear end of a lorry. 

Fortunately the driver suffered only a minor injury, but his vehicle was destroyed. 

A spokesperson for Merseyside traffic police said: "Patrols dealt with a nasty rear end shunt early this morning on the M6.

"Driver collided into the rear of stationary traffic.

"Fortunately minor injury only.

"If this isn’t a reminder to observe the road ahead, I don’t know what is.

"Driver reported for careless driving."

The crash, which happened around 8am, caused around four and a half miles of congestion and one lane was closed as a result of the incident.