Update on Tanker and car collision on M62 Friday 4th July

The accident occurred on the M62 eastbound just before the services on junction 26 and involved an orange VW Polo and Mercedes HGV tanker at 4.20pm on Friday July 4th.

Police would like to speak to the driver of a silver Ford Focus who is thought to have been involved in the build-up to the collision.
It is believed that shortly after approaching at speed from behind and flashing their lights, the driver of the Ford Focus overtook and pulled in front of the Polo in the second lane, causing the driver to break harshly.
When the Polo later went passed the Ford Focus - which was in the first lane - at the exit slip road to the services, the Focus steered right and caused the Polo driver to break suddenly again, leading to the collision with the Mercedes tanker.
The Focus left the scene and was last seen leaving junction 26 and driving up the M606.

The 51-year-old Bradford woman, who was a passenger in the front seat of the Polo, is in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Anyone who has witnessed any part of this incident or who believes they saw this Ford Focus and can provide any further detail about the vehicle to make contact with the Western Area Safer Roads Unit on 101 with information.

M62 closure as Chemical tanker and car collide near Hartshead services

Helimed in attendance landed on M62 eastbound carriageway

The collision happened on the eastbound carriageway between junction 25, A644 (Brighouse) and junction 26, M606 (Chain Bar) at around 4.20pm today.
The female driver of the car suffered a serious leg injury which wasn't thought to be life-threatening.  Both sides of the motorway were closed between junctions 25 and 26 to allow the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to land.

Fire crews begin making up equipment

The collision was between a chemical tanker and car both travelling on the eastbound carriageway, near to the Hartshead Moor services.
Four casualties were taken to hospital one by Air Ambulance, they were not physically trapped but the roof had to be removed to extricate the casualties. At one time a leak from the tanker was suspected but this turned out to be antifreeze from the engine
Fire appliances from Brighouse, Elland and Cleckheaton with the Technical Rescue unit attended, along with Police, Highways Agency, Ambulance crews and the Air Ambulance.

Horse led to safety after Horsebox fire on the M62

Horse box well alight on M62 Eastbound

The incident happened on the Eastbound carriageway between Harsthead Moor services and Junction 26 at Cleckheaton at 3.17pm today.
Firefighters from Cleckheaton, Brighouse and Elland responded to tackle the fire which engulfed the vehicle.
Cleckheaton Watch Commander Damian Cameron: said: “There was one horse in the vehicle. The owner was able to get the back door of the horse box open. “He managed to get the horse through a gap in the barrier and managed to get into a wood at the side of the motorway out of the way of the vehicles.”
There was thick black smoke blowing across the carriageway but the Highways Agency quickly closed parts of the motorway, which allowed firefighters to extinguish the fire.
Two lanes were kept open but the motorway was closed  for few minutes to allow a second horse box access to collect the horse.
Propane cylinders were stored on the vehicle but they were made safe by firefighters.