Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
Key Events
Updated: Driver wanted after serious crash
A driver is being sought by police after he left the scene of a crash which left an 82-year-old woman badly injured.
Police and the ambulance service were called to St John’s Road, Birkby at 2.20pm today to reports of a collision involving a white Audi A3 and a grey Vauxhall Corsa.
Initially, police said an elderly man had suffered a cut to his head, but later revealed that a woman, 82, who was in the Corsa, had suffered serious injuries.
The driver of the Audi left the scene and officers now want to trace him.
Police said the collision happened at the junction of Willow Lane.
The collision caused long delays in the area, especially at the nearby Ringway retail park.
Passerby Joslin Landu said the crash happened near to the junction with Osborne Road.
He added: “There was a Corsa crashed into the wall and an Audi in the middle of the road. Both cars had their airbags used (and were) surrounded by three police cars and two ambulances.”
Broken down car on M62 at Brighouse
One lane is closed due to a broken down vehicle on the M62 Eastbound at J25 A644 (Brighouse). Traffic is said to be coping well.
Lane one (of three) is closed.
Couple injured in Birkby crash
An elderly couple have been taken to hospital following a crash involving two cars in Birkby.
Police and the ambulance service were called to St John’s Road at 2.20pm today to reports of a collision involving an Audi and a Vauxhall Corsa.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said an elderly man had suffered a cut to his head in the collision. The woman is thought to have suffered from shock.
Both were taken by ambulance to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Emergency services were still at the scene at 3.20pm.
Joslin Landu said the crash happened near to the junction with Osborne Road.
He added: “There was a Corsa crashed into the wall and an Audi A1 in the middle of the road. Both cars had their airbags used (and were) surrounded by three police cars and two ambulances.”
Today's most read stories
Here’s what people have been reading the most on our website so far today...
- The family of Moors Murders victim Pauline Reade are in shock after parts of her body were discovered in a university. It comes as news was announced today that murderer Ian Brady has been buried at sea after a secret cremation last month. See more here.
- Bookies have slashed their odds of white Christmas to 2/1 after weather experts have predicted a big freeze. Meteorologists have forecast that temperatures could fall to -11°C as air comes in from the North Pole. Find out more about the forecast here.
- A motorist has been jailed after a police chase ended with him crashing into two parked cars.Leeds Crown Court heard officers saw Shabaz Munir driving a Honda car in Leeds Road, Huddersfield on the morning of October 11 and turned to follow him. Read the full story here.
MP hits back after local people's hospital concerns go ignored
Colne Valley Labour MP Thelma Walker has slammed hospital chiefs for ignoring local people’s views and downgrading Huddersfield Royal Infirmary by stealth.
She described it as “total disregard” for due process after councillors in Huddersfield referred plans to downgrade HRI to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Ms Walker said:
“The views of local people are being ignored, and there has been total disregard for the due process following the referral by the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee.”
Closure at Salterhebble Hill due to burst waiter pipe
Huddersfield Road at Salterhebble is to close due to a burst water main, Calderdale Council have announced.
Part of the busy road near Calderdale Royal Hospital will close at 9pm tomorrow until 1pm on Sunday. Traffic travelling from Halifax towards Huddersfield beyond Salterhebble will be unable to turn right onto the mini-roundabout to travel towards Sowerby Bridge and West Vale. This right filter lane will be completely closed, with all traffic having to travel straight-on to continue on the A629.
Diversions will be in place. Emergency services and bus companies are aware, but severe disruption is to be expected while Yorkshire Water complete these vital works.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area or find alternative routes.
Caught on camera
Recognise any of these? They’re the latest pictures released by Kirklees police investigating crimes in the area.
These two are wanted in connection with a theft from a person on October 21st. The crime reference to quote is 13170490049.
This man is wanted in connection with a suspected fraud committed on October 13th. The reference is 13170485979.
Men bailed in attempted shooting murder
A man from Huddersfield has been questioned and released by police in an ongoing shooting investigation in Leeds.
The man is one of six arrested earlier this week after a man was shot in the Beeston area of Leeds on Saturday afternoon. Police have said today that five, including men from Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Leeds, have been released while one was taken to Bradford County Court over a breach of an existing gang injunction on him and sentenced to 21 days in prison.
The five men have been given conditions that include not associating with each other, living at specified addresses and observing a curfew.
Detective Chief Inspector Jaz Khan, of West Yorkshire Police’s Firearms Prevent Team, said: “We are continuing our enquiries and have searched a number of properties and seized items following the arrests of these men.
“We would like to thank the community for the help and support they have provided to the investigation and we continue to appeal for any further information that can assist us.
“We still believe these shootings have been targeted attacked linked to an ongoing dispute.”
National news
Here’s a round up of today’s main headlines...
FALLON DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF LEWD COMMENTS MADE TO ANDREA LEADSOM
Former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has denied reports he made inappropriate comments to Andrea Leadsom. Reports in the national media this morning claim the Commons leader complained to 10 Downing Street that her Cabinet colleague Fallon made sexual comments to her. Mrs Leadsom has declined to comment on the allegations.
FULL STATUTORY INQUIRY TO BE HELD INTO CONTAMINATED BLOOD SCANDAL
The probe into the contaminated blood scandal will be a “full statutory inquiry” and will come under the responsibility of the Cabinet Office after victims and families “expressed strong views” over the potential involvement of the Department of Health, Downing Street has said. Prime Minister Theresa May announced earlier this year that an inquiry would be held into the events of the 1970s and 1980s, which left around 2,400 people dead. But campaigners had rejected the Government’s proposed process, saying the health department should not be involved in setting up an inquiry when it is under investigation itself.
RACE AGAINST TIME IN COMMONS FOR BID TO LOWER VOTING AGE
A fresh Commons push to lower the voting age faces a race against the clock to make progress. Labour’s Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Royton) is seeking to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in UK parliamentary elections, local elections and referendums. His Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Bill is second on the schedule for Private Members’ Bills today.
Christmas Get Together proposed in memory of Jo Cox
Organisers of The Great Get Together, founded in aid of Batley & Spen MP Jo Cox, have pooled a second annual event for Christmas.
The event held in June to mark the first anniversary of the MP’s murder was founded by her widow Brendan Cox to bring communities together.
Now they have tabled a second event which would see people getting together in aid of Jo’s famous “More In Common” speech. The campaign would encourage residents to bring their neighbours mince pies, calling in on those who may be lonely and organising Christmas parties.
A spokesperson said: “We think this is an especially great idea as Christmas is a time when lots of us are lonely, and likely people in your neighbourhood will be suffering behind closed doors. We can all make a difference by taking the time to have a chat, and what better excuse than by gifting a delicious baked good!”
If you’re interested, sign up here.
Teenager in hospital after being stabbed
An 18-year-old man is in a critical condition after being stabbed last night.
Police were called to a McColl’s convenience store on Stainbeck Road in Meanwood, Leeds, after the victim was stabbed in his abdomen nearby. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody.
The victim was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency overnight surgery. Detectives are now investigating to establish what happened.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime number 13170511700 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Your say on litter police fining Holmfirth dog walker
Examiner readers have criticised Kirklees Council’s private litter police for targeting dog owners who walk their animals off the lead.
Holmfirth dog walker Campbell Millett was issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice by enforcement officers after walking his dog Benji in the middle of the town.
Some readers sided with Mr Millett, while others backed the enforcement action. Many criticised the council. Read more here.
Accident on Denby Dale Road
Slow traffic on Denby Dale Road at Crigglestone on the way out to the M1 this morning due to an accident.
The accident is near the Renault Garage. Mid how you go.
Huddersfield weather
A reasonably dull, dry and cloudy day in store for us today.
For the weekend, there’s a forecast of rain overnight and tomorrow morning, but this should clear by about 8am. Sunday is looking dry and chilly with some sunshine in the afternoon.
Success at lat night's Examiner business awards
Guests at the John Smith’s Stadium cheered on the local business community’s first 11 – the winners of the 11 categories in the 2017 Examiner Business Awards.
The 12th annual awards, hosted as ever by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration, drew a capacity attendance to see engineering industry stalwart Bernard Meehan presented with the top trophy of the night. Read more on last night’s event here.
Police closing in on Lindsay Rimer's murderer
Police say they are exploring new DNA technology to track down the person who murdered a West Yorkshire schoolgirl almost 23 years ago.
Lindsay Jo Rimer, 13, was last seen on the evening of the 7 November 1994 after she went out to buy a packet of cereal from a local shop in Hebden Bridge.
Her body was found five months later in the Rochdale Canal by workmen. Post mortem results revealed she had been murdered.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said: “We have been working with Canadian forensic specialists for the last two tears to see if any DNA evidence can be used to trace Lindsay’s killer. This work has recently come to an end, however due to the rapid developments within this area of science, we will continue to use any new techniques available to us to examine the evidence and assist the investigation.”
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call detectives directly on 01924 821441. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555111.
Brady's ashes disposed of at sea
The ashes of Moors Murderer Ian Brady have been scattered at sea, it has been revealed this morning.
The evil child killer who died aged 79 in May this year was cremated in Southport, Merseyside, on Wednesday October 25 before being placed into a weighted, biodegradable urn and driven to Liverpool Marina the next day and dispatched at sea.
Coroners refused permission from Brady for any music to be played during his cremation.
Brady murdered five young people during the 1960s, four of whom were buried on Saddleworth Moor.
Three lanes closed and queuing traffic on the M62
Queues on the westbound carriage heading towards Huddersfield due to an accident involving two cars and a van, traffic reports sya.
This is between junctions 30 and 29 at Lofthouse for the M1. Traffic is down to one lane and is also very slow heading east as drivers are slowing down to look.
Firework thrown at woman in town centre
Thugs launched a firework at a woman in Huddersfield town centre yesterday.
The shopper was on Market Street, heading towards Primark, at 4.30pm when the lit firework was thrown. Luckily she, nor anyone around, was injured.
Today's Examiner
Here is our front page for today - leading on the story of a knife attack in Fartown on Wednesday night.
We also have amazing pictures in today’s paper giving you a sneak peek inside the house on the M62...
Traffic update
No major incidents to reports back on on the motorways this morning - let’s keep it that way.
Here’s what’s happening on the local roads this morning:
- Slow traffic on the Huddersfield ring road, particularly around the Trinity Street traffic lights
- Very congested as usual at Salterhebble Hill in both directions near the hospital due to ongoing roadworks
- Wellington Street in Leeds is very slow due to a broken down vehicle in one of the lanes
- If you’re a Leeds commuter, it’s also worth noting that Stainbeck Road in the Meanwood area has been closed since 5am due to a serious ongoing police incident. Traffic reports say it is likely to remain closed throughout rush hour.
Hurrah, it's Friday!
Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .