A MAN has died after the car he was driving left the carriageway and hit an embankment near junction two of the M53 near Moreton Spur this morning.

A child who was also in the vehicle was taken to hospital for precuationary checks after the incident, which took place at around 11am, but found to be uninjured.

Officers from the Matrix Serious Organised Crime, Roads Policing Unit attended at the scene and the southbound carriageway of the M53 was closed for several hours. Drivers were warned to expect delays in the area. It was reopened just before 4pm.

An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the crash, which involved a Jaguar motorcar.

The driver, who has not been named, was declared dead at the scene.

No other vehicles were involved.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Officers were called to the southbound carriageway of the M53, between junctions 2 and 3, at just after 11.10am, by a member of the public reporting he had seen a Jaguar car leave the road and collide with the motorway embankment.

"Emergency services attended and the found the driver of the car, a man believed to be in his 30s, with serious head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"A child who was also in the car was taken to hospital and following precautionary checks was found to be uninjured."

The man has been identified and officers are now in the process of informing his next of kin.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the cause of his death.

Witnesses should call 0151 777 5747 or 101.