Police negotiators were brought in after a desperate man was spotted on the wrong side of bridge railings on the M62.

The emergency, near Junction 25 at Brighouse, sparked a near-six hour closure of the busy trans-Pennine motorway as work to bring the incident to a safe conclusion continued.

West Yorkshire Police received a report of a concern for safety shortly before 1am today (Tuesday). Some hours later, a man was brought to safety and the motorway was able to reopen at around 6.45am.

In a statement, issued shortly after 7.30am on Tuesday, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “At 00.56am today, police received a report of a concern for safety after a male was seen on the wrong side of the bridge on the M62, near to junction 25.

“Officers attended and road closures were put in place. Force negotiators were deployed and the male was brought to safety.

“The motorway has since reopened.”

The lengthy closure sparked long delays on the M62 and on adjoining routes through Brighouse and the Spen Valley.

At one point, there were three-mile queues in each direction, with tailbacks stretching back to Junction 27 for westbound traffic and to Junction 23 for eastbound motorists.

One motorist trying to access the M62 at junction 26 at Chain Bar said: "It was mayhem and very difficult to get anywhere at around 5.30am. I tried a couple of other avoiding routes, but everyone had the same idea so it was pretty hopeless."

The closure was in place between junction 25 at Brighouse and junction 26, where the M62 meets the M606.

In an update at around 6am, National Highways said: "National Highways is advising drivers travelling on the M62 in West Yorkshire to plan ahead as the road is closed between junctions 25 (Brighouse) and 26 (Bradford) due to a police incident. 

"The M62 is closed westbound between junction 26 and junction 25, with the eastbound carriageway closed within junction 25.

"Traffic is being diverted via local routes westbound. Eastbound traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads at the junction. 

"Delays are expected through this closure; drivers should either avoid this area or look to use alternative routes."

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