A crowdfunding appeal has been set up after a mum has been left fighting for her life after a horror crash on the M66 in Bury.

Emergency services were called to reports of a crash between two vehicles heading south between junction three for the Pilsworth Interchange and junction four for Simister Island at around 3.10pm on Saturday.

Among those involved was Frankie Hough, 38, who was taken to hospital with "life-threatening" injuries.

Three children, including her two sons Tommy and Rocky, along with her nephew Tobias, were with her at the time and have also been taken to hospital by the air ambulance.

The youngsters are also in critical care.

Frankie, from Chadderton, is currently 18 weeks pregnant and her partner Calvin is by her side.

Tommy and Tobias are in induced comas waiting brain scan updates.

A crowdfunding appeal has been set up for the family at this distressing time and in a few hours it has already raised more than £5,000.

It states: “I am humbly knocking on the door of your kind hearts to help and support this family as they go through this difficult time ahead.

“Due to the intense injuries and critical conditions, I’m sure you will be aware that their closest loved ones cannot leave their bed side.

“So I am asking you to find it in your kind hearts to please help my friend’s family by donating what you can.

“Any amount of donation will be a huge help for the whole family, no matter how big or small.

“All funds will go towards Frankie and the children’s recoveries as when they do awake, their lives could look very different and have a long road to recovery, so it will take away any stress or worries of bills as their immediate family cannot leave their bedside.

“They would be grateful for anything you could contribute.”

A 22-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He remains in custody for questioning and police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

Sergeant Matt Waggett, from Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the members of the public who selflessly helped at the scene and called 999, as well as those who assisted when police and emergency services arrived on scene.

I urge anyone who may have witnessed this incident to please come forward and share any footage, dashcam or mobile footage, with police.

“No matter how small you think it is, it could prove vital to our investigation.”

Information can be shared by calling GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2,254 of May 13.