TWELVE men were injured – seven seriously – when a minibus overturned on the motorway.
Eleven passengers and the driver of the minibus suffered injuries when their vehicle overturned onto a grass verge on the M1 near Leeds at junction 42 as it reached the M62 sliproad .
It caused major problems on the roads around West Yorkshire from 1.50pm yesterday until about 10pm when the junction 42 sliproad was re-opened(predicted by police).
A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed the injured men were all from the Rochdale area of Greater Manchester and are thought to be aged in their 20s and 30s.
The police spokeswoman added: "Officers received numerous emergency calls at 1.50pm reporting a minibus had overturned on the grass verge on the slip road from the M1 southbound onto the M62.
"Emergency services including police, fire and ambulance attended the scene.
"One lane was closed on southbound carriageway of the M1, but was reopened shortly before 4.30pm, however the slip road onto the M62 at junction 42 remained closed until the early evening.
"Eleven passengers and the driver of the mini bus have suffered injuries.
"Seven have serious injuries and five have minor injuries.
"The occupants of the minibus are believed to be men aged in their 20s and 30s from the Rochdale area and have been taken to both Leeds General Infirmary and Pinderfields hospital via ambulance and air ambulance for treatment to their injuries."
The collision had a knock-on effect with motorists travelling on the M1 who had delays of about 40 minutes. It impacted on traffic in Kirklees with diversions at the Denby Dale junction of the M1.
Police appealed for witnesses of the crash to contact the on 0845 60 60 606.
