The M62 motorway was shut down today following a tragic incident where a man in his thirties lost his life after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a barrier during a police pursuit. West Yorkshire Police were engaged in the chase involving a black Mercedes that refused to stop on the highway around 12:52 am. The fatal collision occurred as the car tried to exit onto a slip road and collided with a barrier.
The sole occupant of the vehicle, a man in his thirties, was pronounced dead at the scene. Consequently, the road closure was put in place, and motorists were advised to find alternative routes.
National Highways has now reopened the M62 within J28 eastbound, along with the J29 exit slip eastbound and access to the roundabout, as well as the route to M1 north via the fast slip. The agency thanked the public for their understanding during the closure.
Motorists were cautioned to plan their journeys accordingly as National Highways worked on repairing a damaged lighting column on the junction 29 roundabout following the earlier collision. Although the eastbound carriageway of the M62 between junctions 28 and 29 has been reopened, the M62 eastbound exit slip road at J29 and the roundabout remained closed due to the damaged lighting column, which requires repairs likely to cause ongoing delays.
West Yorkshire Police disclosed that an independent investigation was initiated following the incident, and the M62 eastbound section would remain closed for an extended period. The authorities urged drivers to adhere to diversions and find alternate paths.
Witnesses were encouraged to report any information regarding the collision or the events leading up to it to the Major Collision Enquiry Team. The public was asked to contact the authorities either via the West Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and quoting log 52 of 4 October.
In a statement, West Yorkshire Police confirmed the closure of M62 eastbound after the tragic event during a police pursuit involving a black Mercedes C220 that failed to stop on the M62 eastbound. The vehicle crashed into barriers while trying to take the exit slip road at junction 29, resulting in the fatality of the sole occupant, a man in his thirties.
The M62 eastbound remains closed from J28 Tingley to J29 Lofthouse following a single-vehicle collision. Additionally, the M1 J42 northbound exit at Lofthouse is also closed. West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and Traffic Officers are present at the scene, and diversions are in place through local routes.
For the latest news updates, follow our live blog.