A MAN who suffered a gashed head in a six-car smash on the M65 is set to be discharged from hospital tonight.

The 41-year-old motorist from Darwen suffered a ‘serious’ cut to his head in the pile-up at 8.30am today.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

However his injuries were described as none-life threatening’ and he is expected to be allowed home later today.

A spokesman for the Motorway Police said the bad weather was a ‘contributing factor’ to the accident, which saw other drivers and passengers suffering whiplash injuries.

The westbound carriageway between junction three A674 / A675 (Riley Green) and junction four A666 Blackburn Road (Darwen / Blackburn South) was closed because of an oil and diesel spillage caused by the accident.

The motorway was fully re-opened around 10.30am. A second shunt, also at 8.30am on the M65, involved two cars at junction 12.

A female made her way to hospital suffering slight whiplash injuries.