A WEST Yorkshire man jumped from a moving lorry as it drove over a M62 viaduct and tumbled 140ft to his death.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, was a passenger in the lorry driven by his father as it was crossing the Rakewood Viaduct on the M62 this morning.

Police believe the man leapt from the cab of the lorry as it was moving west-bound between junction 22 Rishworth Moor and 21 at Milnrow at 5.50am.

They say he ended up plunging over the barrier and his body was discovered beneath the bridge.

The man's father was severely traumatised and was being cared for by police officers after the accident.

Police closed the inside lane of the motorway as they began an investigation into the tragedy.

Even though two lanes remained open, the closure slowed west-bound motorists to a crawl, stretching all the way into West Yorkshire past junction 23 at Huddersfield.

The lane re-opened at 9.45am.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "There are no suspicious circumstances. Inquiries are continuing."