M62 crash chaos costs two lives

May 20 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A CALDERDALE man remains seriously ill in hospital after his lorry jack-knifed on the M62 in a double fatal crash.

The 50-year-old was driving a Ford Iveco HGV along the eastbound carriageway of the M62 yesterday morning when it smashed through the central reservation onto the westbound carriageway and into oncoming vehicles.

It led to the tragic death of a 56-year-old Leeds man and his passenger.

The Calderdale driver was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he was treated for serious injuries.

The Leeds man was driving a Ford Ducato van westbound when he was hit by the HGV.

He and his passenger both died at the scene.

Six cars were involved in the pile-up at 6.30am yesterday morning between junctions 27 and 28.

The occupants were taken to LGI with exception of a Subaru driver who went to York Hospital.

The eastbound section of the motorway reopened at 7.45pm last night, while the westbound section reopened soon afterwards.

Highways Agency officials said the third lane of both carriageways remained closed throughout the night while they worked to repair the barrier.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said the reason for the lorry colliding into the central reservation was still unknown.

She said: “The incident occurred when an HGV travelling eastbound left the carriageway, jack-knifed and travelled through the central reservation onto the westbound carriageway into oncoming vehicles.