Police are investigating if a crash on the M62 was the result of a ‘tit for tat’ braking incident.

A woman passenger was seriously injured and now police have revealed the car she was travelling in may be linked to an earlier incident involving another car.

Officers are investigating reports that while the occupants of an orange Polo had been travelling in lane three between junctions 24 and 25 at about 4.10pm, a silver Ford Focus approached from behind at speed and flashed its headlights.

It is believed the Polo pulled over into lane two and was then overtaken by the Focus, which pulled in front of the Polo and braked causing the driver to have to brake harshly.

As the Polo reached the exit slip road to Hartshead Moor services in lane two, the driver started to overtake a vehicle in lane one and realised it was the same Focus.

The driver of the Focus is then reported to have steered to the right and moved in to lane two in front of the Polo and then braked heavily, causing the Polo to also brake heavily to avoid colliding but resulting in the collision with the tanker.

The Focus then left the scene and was last seen exiting at junction 26 and driving up the M606.

A 51-year-old Bradford woman suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital. She remains in hospital where her condition is described as serious but stable.

PC Peter Doyle, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We would urge 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. Similarly, we would ask the driver of the Ford Focus to contact police to give their account of this incident.”

The incident happened near Hartshead Moor on the M62 at junction 26 at 4.10pm. Anyone with information should call the Western Area Safer Roads Unit on 101.

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