A FAMILY has paid a heart-breaking tribute to a “hardworking and gentle” man killed in a horror crash on the M606 last night.
The horrendous smash unfolded at 10.45pm when a van failed to stop for a marked roads policing unit.
It was then driven the wrong way on the M606 towards Bradford, where it was involved in a head-on crash with a taxi.
Sohail Ali, 28, was the driver of the taxi and was tragically killed in the crash.
His passenger, Simon McHugh, and 18-year-old Kyden Leadbeater, a passenger in the van were also killed.
Speaking today, his family paid tribute to Sohail.
They told the Telegraph & Argus: “Sohail was a young hardworking, happy, gentle, and kind individual.
“From a young age, he has always been hard-working and has always gone the extra mile for his family, friends and anyone in the community.
“If ever he was needed, he was always first to offer his support and love.
“He had the ability to make you feel comfortable with his presence and words, he knew exactly what to say and when to say it.
“Sohail had many cousins, all to whom he was like a best friend, he will be dearly missed by all of us his father, mother, brothers, sister and all of our family.
“We are all distraught at this heart-breaking and shocking news.”
Sohail grew up and lived in the BD8 area and was on his way to Huddersfield to drop off a customer he had picked up in Bradford.
They said he was passionate about his job and added: “All his customers loved him, especially the elderly.”
The M606 was closed for a number of hours while emergency services worked at the scene and investigation work got underway.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "A 10.45pm on Monday, a van failed to stop for a marked roads policing unit and was then driven the wrong way on the southbound M606 from Chain Bar roundabout towards Bradford, where it was involved in a head-on collision with a taxi.
"There are five casualties in total from both vehicles, including three who were critically injured."
No further updates have yet been issued.
West Yorkshire Police has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the involvement of a police vehicle in the circumstances leading up to the crash.
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We are carrying out an independent investigation into the involvement of West Yorkshire Police (WYP) prior to a road traffic collision on the M606 near the Chain Bar roundabout, Bradford, at around 10.45pm on Monday 13 June.
"We were notified by WYP after the collision and an independent investigation declared at 12.51am today (Tuesday 14 June).
"We understand that a Ford Transit van failed to stop for police before it was involved in a collision with a taxi after the van entered the M606 on the wrong side of the carriageway.
"IOPC investigators are attending the scene and the police post-incident procedure. We have begun to gather information and our investigation is at an early stage."
Community answers
Pay your tributes to Sohail Ali
"Use this space to pay tribute to Sohail Ali following his tragic death in a crash on the M606."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
Share your tribute hereMay Allah grant Sohail Ali the highest rank in jannat and may Allah grant his family sabr🤲❤️
Share your tribute hereMay Allah SWT grant you the highest rank in Jannatul--Firdous and Sabre--Jameel to all family members and friends... Ameen Summa Ameen!!!
Share your tribute hereMay your soul rest in peace. Sorry to hear this. May Allah console the family you left behind. Baba Joel
Share your tribute hereMay your soul rest in peace. Sorry to hear this. May Allah console the family you left behind. Baba Joel
Share your tribute hereHope you find peace to the people that tragically lost their lives. My prays are to the familes.
Share your tribute hereInnah lillahi wainnah illahi rajiun To Allah swt we belong and to Him we shall return May Allah swt grant you the highest place In heaven. Ameen My heart goes out to all friends and family going through this. I do dua Allah swt brings you through this. Stay strong and have sabr (patience). It's not been long that I lost someone in a similar way. Duas are with you all stay strong x
Share your tribute hereReally Sad news, May Allah pak grant him highest rank in jannat ul firdose,, he should have family to look after, May Allah pak give them saber Ameen
Share your tribute hereOur sincere sympathies to Sohail Ali's family on his untimely and unnecessary death. A loss to all of us. Madeleine and John.
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioon May Allah swt give his family sabr Ameer
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajioon- we will miss you dearly, you were one of a kind, thoughtful, kind and considerate always smiling.
Share your tribute here
Sohail Ali (Left) with his younger brother Bilal Ali Share your tribute hereMay Allah bless you with highest rank in jannah ameen
Share your tribute hereRest in Paradise. What a sad day 💔 You were just doing your job 💔
Share your tribute hereMay Allah Swt grant his family sabr and our brother sohail the highest rank of jannat ul firdaus and may his sins be forgiven. In’sha’allah, Ameen.
Share your tribute hereMay Allah swt grant the brother Jannah Al Firdous and grant the family sabr during this difficult I pray those responsible be brought to justice. Truly heartbreaking
Share your tribute here
May Allah swt grant the brother Jannah Al Firdous and grant the family sabr during this difficult I pray those responsible be brought to justice. Truly heartbreaking Share your tribute hereSohail was such a lovely young man, so kind and gentle. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Taken too soon 💖
Share your tribute hereRest in Peace Sohail you will be missed!
Share your tribute hereMay allah grant our brother higgest rank in jannah tul firdous and give strength to his family on this difficult time.. my condolence also goes out to the passenger and the passenger in the white van. May they soul rest in peace. Aameen
Share your tribute hereMay Allah swt grant him a place in jannah. Out earning an honest living never to return home. Heartbreaking.
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon May ALLAH swt grant Sohail Jannath Al Fridous. I worked with him,can still remember his first day operating at his father's base. Such a gentle soul with a beautiful smile. Softly spoken with good manners. May ALLAH swt grant him from what our beloved prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked in dua. Ameen suma Ameen
Share your tribute hereI didn't know you Sohail Ali but I believe you were a loving, hardworking young man. The kind of person we need in our communities. I hope you find peace and love to your family and friends.
Share your tribute hereSuch a tragedy for a young man to lose his life like this ,just doing his job . Thoughts and prayers are with all his family.
Share your tribute hereRest in peace young man , absolutely heartbreaking 💔 our thoughts are with you and your family and friends and the other innocent men that tragically lost their lives 💕 x
Share your tribute hereMAY ALLAH SWT GRANT HIM THE HIGHEST RANK IN JAANAT AND GIVE SAABRH TO HIS FAMILY . WHAT LOVELY KIND HEART HUMBLE YOUNG MAN JUST DOING HIS JOB 💔💔💔
Share your tribute hereMay Allah grant his soul peace and grant his family sabr in this difficult time. May Allah forgive him for any shortcomings. He seemed like a very kind and hard working man. I will keep him and his family in my prayers. Inna lillahi wa inna illayhi raji’oon. Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him we do return.
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon , may allah swt give you the highest to highest rank in jannah , and give your family sabr ameen !
Share your tribute hereRIP... All 3 of you.... 😪😪😪
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioun, To Allah we belong to Allah we return. May Allah swt grant him firdaus. Aameen
Share your tribute hereSorry to hear of this tragic death. Such a young man who had a promising life ahead of him. May God grant him the everlasting paradise
Share your tribute hereSo so tragic, rest in peace young man and heartfelt condolences to your family.
Share your tribute hereMy heartfelt condolences to Sohail, family and friends , may he rest in eternal peace. 🙏
Share your tribute hereMy thoughts and prayers are for you all at this very sad time 🙏🏻
Share your tribute hereRest In Peace my beautiful cousin may allah grant you the highest rank in janaat Insha allah ameen you was such a good person heart of a gold 🥺💔
Share your tribute hereInna lillahi wa inna ilyahi rajioon shocking and upsetting news may Allah grant him jannat ul Firdous and the family sabar
Share your tribute hereInna illahi wa inna illayhi rajoon may Allah give him highest place in Jannat Ul Furdos, Ameen and the family Sabr
Share your tribute hereMay Allah bless you with the garden of paradise and give your family patience ❤️
Share your tribute hereMay Allah Almighty grant you paradise my brother. And give sabr to the family and loved ones affected.
Share your tribute hereMay Allah bless his family with sabr and grant him Jannat Ameen. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon
Share your tribute hereMay Allah give his family sabar an bless the bother highest rank in jannah ameen such a lost he only went out to work little did he knw his not coming back alive to his family ya Allah help his family
Share your tribute hereInna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioon Rest In Peace
Share your tribute hereRest in peace brother
Share your tribute hereSo so sad thoughts to all family friends and loved ones
Share your tribute hereMay Allah forgive all his sins, bless him with a high place in Jannatul Firdaus and give sabr Jamila to his family. Aameen.
Share your tribute hereMy thoughts go out to Mr sohail Ali s family friends . workmates
Share your tribute hereSuch a sad loss heartbreaking
Share your tribute hereOur hearts goes out to all Family and Friends x
Share your tribute hereMy thoughts are with the family. Rest in peace.
Share your tribute hereMay Allah swt grant the brother Jannah Al Firdous and grant the family sabr during this difficult I pray those responsible be brought to justice. Truly heartbreaking 💔
Share your tribute hereI went school with sohail, he was such a nice guy its such shocking news. May his soul rest in peace
Pay your tributes to Sohail Ali
Use this space to pay tribute to Sohail Ali following his tragic death in a crash on the M606.
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