A van driver died when his vehicle overturned on one of Bradford’s busiest roads yesterday.

The crash involving a white JCT600 Peugeot panel van happened in Rooley Lane at about 11.45am.

It caused lengthy tailbacks on nearby roads, including the M606, as the scene was sealed off for several hours while emergency services and police accident investigators carried out their work.

It is believed the van was the only vehicle involved. The driver was freed by firefighters, but it is understood he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was named yesterday as Ernest Handisson, of Bradford. The 63-year-old worked for JCT600 as a driver in the company’s Peugeot parts department.

Paul Stokes, brand director at JCT600, paid tribute to Mr Handisson and said he had been with the firm for ten years.

“He was a very loyal member of the team,” said Mr Stokes. “He will be sadly missed by all his work colleagues and our thoughts go out to his family and close friends.”

Councillor Zameer Shah (Con, Bowling and Barkerend) was shocked to hear of the driver’s death.

“I am deeply saddened when something like this happens,” said Coun Shah, who recalled the tragic death of Bilal Khizar, the 12-year-old who was killed when he was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing on Rooley Lane last October.

Coun Shah said he would raise safety concerns about the road at the next meeting of the Bradford East Area Committee. He said: “It is a busy road, but it is an access road on to the motorway. We have got 40mph measures along the road and speed cameras, I think, so we have tried to do what we can to minimise accidents.”

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said: “It is really sad.”

Following the crash, the police cordon stretched from Staygate Roundabout to Asda causing gridlocked traffic.

Investigators took detailed photographs of the wrecked railings which it appears the van had hit.

Barry Clough, 74, of Bude Road, said: “I am not surprised about this accident. All the roads are just too busy.”