A major commuter route was closed in both directions on Friday after a pillion passenger died when a motorcycle was struck by several other vehicles.

Staffordshire Police said the driver of the bike was badly injured in the accident on the westbound A500 between Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent, and junction 15 of the M6 at about 4.40am.

A police spokesman confirmed that a man was pronounced dead at the scene and another male, who lived locally, was in a poorly condition at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

"A motorcyclist riding a green-coloured Kawasaki motorbike and a pillion passenger were involved in a collision with a number of other motor vehicles, some of which may not be aware and have left the scene," the spokesman said.