POLICE have released photographs of two vehicles involved in chain of events which claimed a young boy’s life.
The tragedy happened at about 6pm on the westbound carriageway of the M62 prior to the Lofthouse interchange at junction 29 on Tuesday, April 15 – the evening Town played Leeds United at the Galpharm Stadium.
A yellow crane swerved, possibly to avoid another vehicle that was travelling in front of it.
As a result, vehicles behind the crane were involved in a collision. These were an Iveco-Ford box van, a Mercedes Sprinter van, a Toyota Rav 4 and a Ford Escort. Ten people were hurt.
The young boy who died – 10-year-old Billy Fletcher from Hull – was a passenger in the Ford Escort.
Four other people in the car were also injured. These were a 14-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, a 41-year-old man and a 55-year-old man.
All come from the Hull area.
A 50-year old man from Morley who was driving the Mercedes Sprinter was treated for shock, as were the driver and two children in the Rav-4.
The Iveco-Ford van driver – a 22-year-old man from Worksop – suffered whiplash.
Police are now re-appealing for any witnesses to contact them.
They especially need to speak to anyone who saw the movements of the mobile crane and a white hatchback car similar to an Audi A3 both before and after the incident.
To help the appeal CCTV footage showing the white car and the crane travelling along the M62 prior to the collision have been released.
Sgt Thomas Butler from West Yorkshire Police’s Motorway Unit said: “This was a tragic and serious incident that left a 10-year old boy dead and nine other people injured.
“We are appealing for the driver of the white car seen at the time of the collision to come forward and help us with our inquiries.
“Any other witnesses to the collision should also contact us as a matter of urgency so we can further establish what happened.”
Anyone with any information should contact West Yorkshire Police’s Motorway Unit on 01924 292915 or via 0845 6060606.
