POLICE are hunting the driver of silver Ford Focus who is believed to have been involved in a serious crash on the M62 which left a Bradford woman with serious injuries.

The Focus is reported to have braked heavily in front of an orange Volkswagen Polo causing it to be involved in a crash with a tanker lorry

on the eastbound carriageway just before the Hartshead Moor services near junction 26 on Friday.

A 51-year-old woman, who was a front seat passenger in the Polo, suffered serious leg injuries and had to be airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. She was said to be in a stable condition today.

The Western Area Roads Policing Unit has received reports that two cars were involved an an incident a few minutes earlier. The Polo was travelling in lane three between junctions 24 and 25 at about 4.10pm when the Focus approached from behind at speed and flashed its headlights.

It is believed the Polo pulled over into lane two and was then overtaken by the Focus which pulled in front of the Polo and braked causing the driver to have to brake harshly.

As the Polo reached the exit slip road to Hartshead Moor services in lane two, the driver started to overtake a vehicle in lane one and realised it was the same Focus.

The driver of the Focus is then reported to have steered to the right and moved in to lane two in front of the Polo and then braked heavily, causing the Polo to also break heavily to avoid colliding with the Focus, resulting in the collision with the tanker.

The Focus then left the scene and was last seen exiting at junction 26 and driving up the M606.

PC Peter Doyle, who is investigating the crash, said: "We would urge anyone who has witnessed any part of this incident or who believes they saw this Ford Focus and can provide any further detail about the vehicle to make contact.

"Similarly, we would ask the driver of the Ford Focus to contact police to give their account of this incident.

"Anyone with information should call the Western Area Safer Roads Unit on 101."