Police are appealing for information following a collision on the M61 in which a 12-year-old girl sadly died.

The incident occurred at around 10.45pm on Saturday 6th July on the northbound carriageway between junction eight and the Bolton West/Rivington services, when a Vauxhall Corsa collided with a Nissan Qashqai.

The 12-year-old girl, a passenger in the Qashqai, died at the scene.

She has since been named as Sana Patel, from Blackburn.

Five other people travelling in the Qashqai suffered minor injuries.

Those believed to have been travelling in the Corsa fled the scene on foot and enquiries are now underway to trace them.

Supt Andy Cribbin, of Lancashire Police, said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and friends of Sana. There are no words to describe what they will be going through and we send them our deepest condolences at this incredibly difficult time. They are currently being supported by specialist officers.

“Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to establish exactly what occurred, and to locate the people who were in the Corsa.

“We are now appealing directly to them. We know the car is registered to an address in West Yorkshire and we are appealing for the driver and any passenger at the time of the collision to make contact with us as soon as possible. A twelve year old girl has tragically lost her life, so we would urge them to search their conscience and do the right thing by contacting us.

“We are also asking anybody who saw the collision, or saw either vehicle in the moments before it happened, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Anybody with information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1817 of July 6th.

A 28-year-old man from Dewsbury has been arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He remains in custody.