Horror crash saw motorway closed for 12 hours and man dead

The crash took place on the M62 and resulted in parts of the road being closed in both directions - with one stretch remaining shut for 12 hours.

West Yorkshire Police were called to the scene and a spokesperson for the force confirmed the fatality, while road closures were in place between junction 24, Ainley Top Interchange, and junction 22, Rockingstone - near Saddleworth.

Officers explained how they were responding to reports of a motorist driving on the wrong side of the motorway but the crash occurred before officers could reach them.

A busy stretch of the M62 was deserted this morning following a fatal crash (Image: Newsquest)

They issued the following statement: "Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the M62 motorway today.  

"At 2.06am, police received reports of a Vauxhall Corsa travelling westbound on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway.

"Officers were deployed to locate the vehicle, but it was found to have been in collision a short time later with a VW Golf close to Scammonden Bridge."

They continued: "The male Corsa driver was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The male Golf driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for further treatment.

A man died in a two-car crash on the M62 near Scammonden Bridge this morning (Image: Newsquest)

"Both carriageways remain closed between junctions 22 and 24 at this time. Both are expected to reopen before noon today and motorists are advised to find alternative routes while these closures remain in place."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) sent multiple vehicles to the scene in the early hours of this morning, as did West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service who dispatched three crews.

A spokesperson for YAS said: "Yorkshire Ambulance Service received an emergency call at 2.12am on Saturday morning to report a collision on the M62 between junctions 22 and 23 (eastbound).

"Two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles were dispatched to the scene."

The scene of the crash this morning (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile the fire engines came from Rastrick, Slaithwaite and Rochdale attended, along with technical rescue crews from Cleckheaton.

National Highways confirmed via X, formerly Twitter, that the M62 had fully re-opened in both directions shortly after 2pm.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police added: "The Major Collision Enquiry Team is investigating this collision and would like to hear from anyone who saw, or who has footage of the collision or the grey Vauxhall Corsa prior to it."

Those with any information should call 101, or report it by using the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website, quoting log reference 0137 of March 23.