Man Critically Injured, Four Arrested After M62 Police Pursuit Crash

A man is in critical condition at a hospital following a collision on the M62 involving a vehicle that police were pursuing. West Yorkshire Police reported that a white Toyota Corolla collided with a Peugeot 306 just before Junction 24 for Huddersfield at approximately 15:00 GMT on Saturday. The driver of the Peugeot was transported to hospital, while the four female occupants of the Toyota were taken into custody on suspicion of motor vehicle theft. The motorway was shut down in both directions for over five hours subsequent to the incident, with National Highways reporting delays lasting an hour. Police indicated that the Toyota had failed to stop for officers on the M621 as it proceeded towards the M62 at Birstall around 14:55. A pursuit was then authorized, and the car accelerated onto the M62, heading in the direction of Manchester. Authorities stated that the Peugeot driver sustained serious injuries in the crash, and his hospital condition was described as critical but stable. The eastbound carriageway of the motorway was reopened around 20:20, but police confirmed that the westbound carriageway would remain closed until the early hours of Sunday as the investigation continued. The force also confirmed that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had been informed, in line with standard procedure for incidents of this nature.