Updated:13:58, Saturday June 07, 2008

A 25-year-old professional footballer has been arrested after a crash on the M6 in which two children died this morning, Sky News sources say.

The children, both boys and aged eight and 10, were killed after the smash involving two cars shortly before 5.45am.

The man arrested was driving a black Range Rover and was not hurt in the crash.

He is being held on suspicious of causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash happened on the motorway's southbound carriageway near junction 16 in Staffordshire.

The dead children had been travelling in a silver Toyota Previa people carrier with two other children and two men.

Talking about the response by emergency services, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews found two cars which had been involved in a collision. One of the cars had left the carriageway."

It was the people carrier that went down and embankment and hit trees.

The spokesman continued: "One child was confirmed dead at the scene. A second was taken on blue lights to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Staff at the hospital had been put on alert awaiting the arrival of the child who later died.

"A number of other people have also been taken to hospital."

One man is believed to be in a critical condition in hospital.

Witnesses are being asked to call the Central Motorways Police Group on 0121 626 1831.

The man arrested by police investigating a motorway crash that killed two boys is Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick, according to Press Association sources.

The driver of a Range Rover was held by police after the boys, aged eight and 10, were fatally injured in a collision on the M6 in north Staffordshire this morning.

In a statement, Plymouth said: "The club is aware of an incident involving one of our players that occurred on Saturday morning on the M6.

"As the incident is subject to police enquiries, the club feels it would be inappropriate to make any comment at this stage."

Staffordshire Police would not identify the man held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but sources have told the Press Association that he is McCormick.