Long delays, but M62 reopens after man dies in HGV pile-up

A man has died following a collision on the M62, which closed the motorway near the Yorkshire border.

Police said a car bound for Yorkshire was involved in a collision with a HGV, near Oldham. The car then went through the central barrier onto the westbound carriageway and collided with another car and two HGVs.

The car driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man and woman in one of the other vehicles were taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening at this stage.

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The motorway was closed in both directions for much of the day, with severe delays and queuing traffic between Rochdale and Huddersfield.

The Yorkshire-bound carriageway reopened at 3.30pm. But drivers heading out of West Yorkshire towards Manchester had to wait another 75 minutes before the road was cleared, creating long rush hour tailbacks.

PC Ed Lister of Greater Manchester Police said: “GMP, along with other emergency services, are continuing to deal with a large scene near to junction 21 of the M62 involving multiple vehicles, and in which one man has sadly lost his life.

“Our officers are doing all we can to identify this man as quickly as possible so we can speak with his family, and also to deal with the other injured people and damaged vehicles at the scene.

“There are considerable traffic tailbacks following this collision and we are advising people wherever possible to avoid this area and use another route.”