Iranian immigrant risking his life on M62 in Calderdale rescued by police officer

A West Yorkshire police officer has spoken about a heartbreaking night shift where he found an Iranian immigrant risking his life walking down the M62 motorway.
By Ian Hirst
Published 29th Apr 2019, 12:45 BST
Updated 29th Apr 2019, 13:06 BST
PC Martin Willis found the man walking on the M62 at HartsheadPC Martin Willis found the man walking on the M62 at Hartshead
PC Martin Willis found the man walking on the M62 at Hartshead

PC Martin Willis, a traffic officer in the force, said he spent 'a large proportion' of his night shift with a man he had found 'wandering' the M62 who had spent many hours without food or drink.

The officer picked him up in the car park of Hartshead Moor Services at about 2am on April 15 after drivers had seen the man on their way past and raised concerns.

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PC Willis said: "Just spent a large proportion of my night shift with a male I picked up wandering at the side of the M62.

"He was from Iran and had clearly spent many hours without food or drink.

"It's a sad world when things are so bad that you feel you have to risk your life for a better life!"

The man was taken to a police station in Halifax.

PC Willis deals with all sorts of incidents on the roads, with many on the M62.

Just days later, the officer caught a driver tearing down the road at 100mph, and in the same week caught a driver with no documents or MOT having broken down in the hard shoulder.