A LORRY driver is still in police custody after a policeman was killed on a West Yorkshire motorway while helping a stricken motorist.

Pc Mark Goodlad, 41, was fatally injured after stopping to help the stranded 51-year-old woman between junctions 39 and 38 on the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Wakefield. Junction 38 is the turn-off for Huddersfield.

A 44-year-old man from Oldham was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

The accident happened at 4.14pm on Monday when an orange Scania articulated heavy goods vehicle hit a marked BMW X5 police vehicle and a grey Suzuki Swift. At the time of the crash the police BMW and the Suzuki were both stopped on the hard shoulder.

Pc Goodlad was between the two vehicles helping the Suzuki driver who had a problem with her vehicle.

He was airlifted to hospital but later died from his injuries.

The woman motorist suffered minor injuries.

In July 1986 a police officer from Huddersfield died in a similar tragedy.

Pc David Sykes – a 32-year-old father-of-three from Lindley – was in a patrol car on the hard shoulder on the M62 near Junction 25 at Brighouse when a lorry ploughed into the back of it.

Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Sir Norman Bettison said: “People sometimes overlook the real essence of policing. We exist to protect the public from threat and harm.

“Sometimes it is about crime, sometimes disorder. Today, it was about the dangerous environment of the motorway.

“Pc Mark Goodlad was assisting a vulnerable motorist who had broken down in that dangerous space. He was doing his job as his colleagues do day in day out. Police officers put themselves at risk for others.

“Mark paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are all proud of him and saddened by his loss.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mark’s family. We shall try to be there for them as Mark was there for the public at large.”

It is understood the officer, from East Yorkshire, was married with one child and had been in the force for 10 years.

West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Andrew Tempest-Mitchell said: “It is a sad day for West Yorkshire Police who have lost a dedicated officer who has been killed doing a very dangerous job. It was my understanding he was a very experienced road traffic officer.”

Chief Inspector Neil Hunter from West Yorkshire Police said: “It is vitally important that we establish the full circumstances and I would encourage anyone who can assist our enquiries to come forward as soon as possible.”

Witnesses should contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047.