Multi-vehicle crash on M62 towards Leeds causes long delays after Yorkshire Air Ambulance lands on motorway

The M62 was closed in both directions at around 2.50pm today (Tuesday) after a serious crash involving multiple vehicles on the motorway in the direction of Leeds

The incident happened near J22 eastbound which is just as the motorway enters West Yorkshire, but the M62 was closed to traffic on the westbound side between J22 and J24 as well.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service and officers from the West Yorkshire Police roads policing unit were at the scene before a Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter landed 'to assist with the ongoing incident'.

According to Highways England, it caused around 5.3 miles of congestion, adding at least 90 minutes to normal journey times this afternoon.

The westbound side of the motorway, going from Leeds, opened at around 5.05pm and although traffic is 'flowing', Highways England said to 'expect delays in the area for a little while longer'.

There has been no indication that the motorway has opened yet for traffic going towards Leeds - in the latest update at 4.25pm, Highways England said the M62 remained closed eastbound.

According to the Highways Yorkshire Twitter account, this was a 'protracted' incident being led by West Yorkshire Police.

Roads policing officers from West Yorkshire Police tweeted at around 3.10pm: "URGENT CLOSURE M62 both directions, jct 20 Manchester side eastbound and jct 24 Huddersfield westbound, due to a serious RTC.

"Emergency services are at the scene."

Update: Several people have been injured in the crash which involved four lorries and a car.