Police chase after car stolen ends in horror M62 crash with driver critical

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A high-speed police chase on the M62 ended in a catastrophic crash after four women, suspected of car theft, collided with another vehicle, causing extensive delays.

The motorway was thrown into chaos this afternoon following the severe accident between Ainley Top and Brighouse, West Yorkshire, around 3.15pm. West Yorkshire Police have warned of expected disruptions stretching into the early hours of Sunday due to the wreckage, reports the Mirror.

The suspects were apprehended after allegedly commandeering a Toyota and hurtling down the M62's westbound lanes, before their vehicle crashed into a Peugeot, leaving its driver with grave injuries.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police relayed to The Mirror: "At around 2.55pm today (Saturday), a car failed to stop for police on the M621 as it travelled towards the M62 at Birstall. A pursuit was authorised and the car, a white Toyota Corolla, drove at speed on to the M62 westbound carriageway, heading towards Manchester.

"Shortly after 3pm the Toyota was in collision with a Peugeot 306, just before Junction 24 on the westbound carriageway. The Peugeot driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries and his condition is described as critical but stable.

"The four female occupants of the Toyota have been arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. The eastbound carriageway of the M62 has now re-opened, but the westbound carriageway is likely to remain closed until the early hours of Sunday morning."

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed, as per protocol for such incidents. Earlier today, photographs captured significant hold-ups on both carriageways of the motorway.

National Highways has warned motorists to anticipate delays following an alert. A spokesperson for National Highways, in a sequence of earlier tweets from its Yorkshire division's Twitter account, advised: "The M62 remains closed in both directions between J24 and J25 following a serious collision. Traffic caught within the closure is being released via the rear of the queue. Please remain in your vehicles and await instruction from the police or a traffic officer."

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