A DRIVER and his passenger were airlifted to hospital after their car overturned and left the M6 near Shap this lunchtime.

The pair, from Falkirk, were travelling in a grey Ford Sema when it was in collision with another car southbound between Junction J39 at Shap and Junction 38 at Tebay just before midday.

Emergency services, including paramedics, the fire service and two air ambulances, had to cut through a fence to access the vehicle.

The casualties, a male in his 60s suffering back injuries and a female in her 50s suffering leg injuries, were taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where they were stable on arrival.

Lane closures were in place for four hours after the incident which caused tailbacks for most of the afternoon.