THE youngest victim of the triple fatal crash on the M606 was left fighting for his life in another crash last year, it has emerged.

Kyden Leadbeater, 18, was left on a life support machine following the smash in September 2021.

It’s understood he was seriously hurt in a crash involving a suspected stolen quad bike and a lorry near Skipton.

His sister wrote on Facebook last month: “Happy birthday to my little brother.

“Months ago you were on a life support machine fighting for your life after a bad crash, and here you are now on your 18th living and in good health just with 1 arm lol.

“I’ll never ever take a day for granted after living that day like it was, getting a knock at door from police to say your in lgi with “broken legs but stable” to then getting a phone call to say they got it wrong, your on life support machine and have died 2 times .

“And hearing dad break down on that phone when he rang us once he saw you then got pulled away after 2 mins, hearing him cry so much saying you’re much worse, I’m so thankful for life.”

She said he would make a “fantastic uncle”.

A previous post, on October 5, said: “I’m over the moon. Bang on 2 week ago our life changed dramatically. He crashed and was fighting for his life.

“He is now at home. In pain but home and alive.”

Emergency services rushed to the M606 crash late on Monday night, after a Ford Transit van travelling the wrong way - and believed to be stolen - ploughed into a taxi, leaving driver Sohail Ali, 28, and his passenger Simon McHugh, 49, dead.

Kyden was a passenger in the van. 

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was yesterday in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 

Another passenger in the van, a 17-year-old boy, was also in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 

A referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 

A spokesperson said: "We received a mandatory referral from West Yorkshire Police due to the fact one of the vehicles involved, a Ford Transit van, had driven off and round the wrong way of a roundabout while a police car was in the vicinity. 

"The van, which is suspected to have been stolen, then entered the M606, travelling in the wrong direction, where it was involved in a collision with a taxi.

“We sent investigators to the scene to assess the situation and to the post-incident procedures. 

“We have obtained an initial account from the police and are in the process of gathering and reviewing footage of the incident.

"The evidence currently available indicates the police did not follow the van the wrong way onto the motorway.”

IOPC Regional Director Thea Walton said: “This was a tragic incident that has resulted in three people losing their lives. Our thoughts are with all those affected.

“We understand this will have caused considerable concern in the community and I would like to reassure people that there will be a thorough, independent investigation to understand exactly what has happened.

“We will be in contact with the families as soon as possible to explain our role and how our inquiries will progress.”